The use of cell phones in class during school hours is also prohibited in high schools.

The ban on cell phone use is also coming to high schools: the Minister of Education and Merit Giuseppe Valditara has announced it, as he had anticipated a few days ago, on June 16, when he sent it to school principals.

With the new circular, the ban on cell phone use during teaching activities and more generally during school hours is also provided for students in the second cycle of education. This intervention – the minister underlines in the circular – now appears to be urgent in light of the adverse effects, widely demonstrated by scientific research, that excessive or incorrect use of the smartphone can have on the health and well-being of adolescents and their school performance”.

“This intervention now appears to be urgent in light of the negative effects, widely demonstrated by scientific research, that excessive or incorrect use of smartphones can have on the health and well-being of adolescents and their school performance. There are more and more studies on the subject, as well as an ever-increasing attention from international organisations and health institutions on the need to adopt policies capable of countering the worrying phenomena that such research highlights.” From primary school to lower secondary school, the use of mobile phones is permitted only exceptionally as a support tool for students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties, or with authorisation based on justified personal needs. Similarly, the use of mobile phones at school will be permitted in cases where it is necessary in technical education programs in the areas of information technology and telecommunications, as part of the school curriculum.