Still, they said that with no smartphones, students did talk to one anothermore France's education ministry hopes that its smartphone ban, which took effect the beginning of September and applies to students from first through ninth grades, will get schoolchildren to pay more attention in class and interact more, and several studies suggest such correlations. Some experts are skeptical that the ban can be enforced, and some teachers question the merits ofinsulating children from the internet-dominated world they will face outside school. But the French government believes that without minimizing distractions, children will never learn the basics ADVERTISEMEN If we want to prepare children in the 21st century, we must give them thetools of modernity: mastery of math, of general culture the ability to flourish in social relationships, a capacity to discuss with others, to understand and respect others and then very strong digital skills, said Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer It's a message we send to society Do not always be on your phones The smartphone ban expands on a current law that applied only to junior high grades and forbade the use of smartphones during class. The new law includes lower grades and will also apply to the entire school grounds, including the schoolyard. The only exception is when smartphones' use is assigned by a teacher Help us break the next big story Subseribe to the New york times Around 93 percent of French children ages 12 to 17 have mobile phones, and an estimated 86 percent in that age group have models that support apps, according to French government and research institute data from 2016 and 2017. Just under two-thirds of middle school and junior high students are signed upon social networks like Instagram and Snapchat and video games like Fortnite The problems with smartphone use are well known Students' insecurity can rise they constantly worry about keeping up with"likes and"shares"on social media. Teachers worry about cyberbullying and abusive practical jokes like photographing classmates from under the bathroom door and then posting the images online. EDITORS’ PICKSStill, they said that with no smartphones, students did talk to one another more. France’s education ministry hopes that its smartphone ban, which took effect at the beginning of September and applies to students from first through ninth grades, will get schoolchildren to pay more attention in class and interact more, and several studies suggest such correlations. Some experts are skeptical that the ban can be enforced, and some teachers question the merits of insulating children from the internet-dominated world they will face outside school. But the French government believes that without minimizing distractions, children will never learn the basics. ADVERTISEMENT “If we want to prepare children in the 21st century, we must give them the tools of modernity: mastery of math, of general culture, the ability to flourish in social relationships, a capacity to discuss with others, to understand and respect others and then very strong digital skills,” said Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer. “It’s a message we send to society: Do not always be on your phones.” The smartphone ban expands on a current law that applied only to junior high grades and forbade the use of smartphones during class. The new law includes lower grades and will also apply to the entire school grounds, including the schoolyard. The only exception is when smartphones’ use is assigned by a teacher. Help us break the next big story. Subscribe to The New York Times Around 93 percent of French children ages 12 to 17 have mobile phones, and an estimated 86 percent in that age group have models that support apps, according to French government and research institute data from 2016 and 2017. Just under two-thirds of middle school and junior high students are signed up on social networks like Instagram and Snapchat and video games like Fortnite. The problems with smartphone use are well known. Students’ insecurity can rise as they constantly worry about keeping up with “likes” and “shares” on social media. Teachers worry about cyberbullying and abusive practical jokes like photographing classmates from under the bathroom door and then posting the images online. EDITORS’ PICKS