From Monday, 8 September, students in Monaco from Year 5 (CM2) through to the final year of high school will be subject to a strict new rule: no access to their mobile phones during school hours. The measure marks a significant shift in school life across the Principality, aimed at tackling screen dependency and its impact on education and wellbeing.
Each student will be issued a self-locking magnetic pouch designed to hold their smartphone throughout the school day. Once locked, the case blocks connectivity and access to the device, acting as a temporary Faraday cage. Students will regain access to their phones only after passing through a terminal at the end of classes.
The policy, introduced at the start of the 2025 school year, applies to the Charles-III middle school, Albert-Ier and Rainier III high schools, and Year 5 classes in primary schools. It mirrors similar initiatives already in place elsewhere but goes further by encompassing a wider age range in one comprehensive rollout.
Authorities have cited excessive screen time as a key factor in sleep disruption, anxiety, social isolation, and bullying among students. The initiative is intended not only to limit these risks but also to foster improved classroom focus and healthier peer interaction.
Preparation for the rollout has been under way for several months, involving consultation with the Principality’s parent association (APEM) and input from the Youth Consultative Committee, where pupils raised concerns over academic pressure and mental health. Discussions initially included proposals for a temporary “phone-free week” but ultimately led to a full-year policy backed by state funding.
Each student will be responsible for their pouch, which they may customise, but removing the phone during school hours will result in sanctions. Communication between parents and children, if needed, will be handled via the school office, as has been standard practice.
