Learning and technology

Smartphones at school: what the government proposal envisages (for Italy and Europe)

Valditara: European recommendation to discourage the use of smartphones in the classroom in all EU primary and secondary schools. Broad international support.

by School Editorial

13 May 2025

2' min read

2' min read

The Minister of Education and Merit, Giuseppe Valditara, presented the proposal for a European recommendation to discourage the use of smartphones in the classroom in all primary and secondary schools in the Union at the meeting of the Council of the European Union dedicated to Education.

Negative effects of mobile device abuse

"The results of scientific studies show that the abuse of mobile devices during childhood and pre-adolescence negatively affects cognitive development, causing loss of concentration and memory, reduced language skills and reduced critical thinking. In addition to the decline in school performance, the excessive use of smartphones at an early age is recognised as a major cause of social isolation. The time has come to take decisive action to protect the well-being and learning of our young people,' said Minister Valditara. 'We will assess whether to extend the ban to high schools as well'.

The European context

The Italian proposal fits into a European context that is already active on this front, where several Member States have taken measures to limit or ban the use of mobile devices in schools, particularly for younger pupils.

Sources: 10 countries agree with Rome

A total of 10 EU countries support Italy in its proposal for a European recommendation to ban the use of smartphones in the classroom for under-14s across Europe. This was announced by diplomatic sources at the end of the Education Council in Brussels, where Minister Giuseppe Valditara presented the initiative to his European counterparts. Specifically, the same sources indicate, France, Sweden, Hungary, Cyprus, Belgium, Luxembourg, Lithuania and Greece have come out in support. In addition to these, Austria and Slovakia co-signed the proposal (but did not intervene). No country spoke against. The Polish EU presidency supported the proposal and the competent EU Commissioner, Roxana Minzatu, pledged to take the initiative forward.

What is planned in Italy

In Italy, the Ministry of Education and Merit has already taken concrete action. As of September 2024, a ban on the use of smartphones in the classroom has been ordered for all pupils, from pre-school to secondary school. The use of devices provided for in personalised teaching plans for students with disabilities or specific learning disorders remains permitted.

"If we really want to love our children, we must guarantee them a break from mobile phones at school. Now. - continued Valditara -. A coordinated approach at European level is also needed on the issue of access to social networks to combat phenomena such as cyberbullying, child pornography, acts of self-harm, and gender-based violence".

Several Member States intervened to support the Italian initiative. None spoke against.