Mobile devices prohibited in secondary schools within Geneva region
Starting from September 2025, public schools in Geneva and Valais will implement a ban on the use of personal digital devices during classroom activities, aiming to improve students' concentration and encourage social interaction.
## Geneva
In Geneva, the use of smartphones will be prohibited during all classroom activities and lunch breaks in Orientation Cycle schools, which cater to students aged around 12 to 15. The ban does not apply to specific educational outings where phones might be necessary for educational purposes.
Violations will be addressed through a system of sanctions starting with the confiscation of the phone, followed by "reflection work," and calls to parents. In serious cases, students may face half-day expulsion. The decision is driven by concerns over the negative effects of excessive screen time, such as school dropouts and cyberbullying, and aims to harmonize regulations across schools and ensure equal treatment for all students.
## Valais
Valais will implement a more comprehensive ban, prohibiting the use of smartphones during all school hours, including holidays. There are no specific exceptions mentioned for Valais, but the ban applies to all school hours, implying that educational outings might still allow phone use if necessary.
The specific sanctions for Valais are not detailed, but the call for parents to agree on clear rules outside of school suggests a focus on consistent enforcement. Similar concerns about screen time, social interaction, and cyberbullying likely contribute to the decision in Valais, as stated by State Councilor Christophe Darbellay, who emphasized the importance of parental support in enforcing these rules outside of school.
The ban in Valais does not extend to tablets in the classroom. In Valais, all mobile phones must be turned off on school premises, including during breaks and at lunchtime. Breaking the new rule will result in progressive sanctions, with the fourth offence leading to a half-day suspension.
The ban on smartphones in Valais schools is part of an effort to address concerns about the harmful effects of overexposure to screens, such as school dropouts and cyberbullying.
In a statement, Christophe Darbellay, the State Councillor in charge of education in Valais, stressed that school is an essential living space for learning, concentration, and personal development. He added that an exception may be made during specific field trips.
The new measure in both cantons aligns with the goal of strengthening and harmonizing sanctions for phone usage in schools.
In Geneva and Valais, education policy and legislation now prohibit the use of smartphones during school hours, with the aim of promoting education-and-self-development, reducing cyberbullying, and improving social interaction. The ban is part of a broader general-news emphasis on addressing the negative effects of excessive screen time in schools.
