Politis

UNESCO: Nearly 6 in 10 Countries Worldwide Ban Mobile Phones in Schools

Published March 19, 2026, 20:20
UNESCO: Nearly 6 in 10 Countries Worldwide Ban Mobile Phones in Schools

Nearly six in ten countries worldwide have adopted some form of ban or restriction on the use of mobile phones in schools, according to new data from UNESCO. Specifically, 58% of countries (114 education systems) have enacted national bans, while that number has doubled in three years. UNESCO reports that some countries have enacted national regulations requiring schools to adopt policies restricting the use of mobile phones without imposing a strict national ban, such as Colombia, Estonia and Poland. In other countries, such as Armenia and Indonesia, decisions are made at the local or regional level. The increase in bans is due to concerns about the distractions caused by mobile phones in the classroom and their impact on students' academic performance. However, UNESCO emphasizes that countries are seeking a balance between reducing distractions and teaching responsible technology use. This trend highlights the growing recognition of the need to regulate the use of mobile phones in schools in order to create a more favorable learning environment for students.