Officials in Russia move to ban phone use in schools, with limited exceptions
Reports indicate that a parliamentary amendment was approved by the State Duma to prohibit the use of mobile phones in classrooms, even for educational purposes. The change is referenced by RIA News, citing the relevant document.
In the bill’s original wording, using phones for learning was described as an exception rather than a rule.
From the amendment text, it appears that mobile radiotelephone communications would be barred in general and secondary education settings. Exceptions appear to cover situations where there is a threat to student or staff safety and health.
The sponsors include State Duma deputies and the leaders of all factions, under the direction of Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin.
On 17 November, the State Duma reportedly accepted the bill on its first reading, aiming to prohibit phone use in school classrooms. If fully adopted, pupils would be allowed to use smartphones in class only with teacher permission or in emergencies and life-threatening situations.
The day before, authorities announced that for the second reading, the draft law would be finalized to make the ban a direct rule across schools.
In Russia, a common question for families is: at what age can a child receive a phone?