As many as 79 education systems globally ban smartphone usage in schools till end of 2024, as per UNESCO

At least 79 education systems globally have banned smartphones in schools as many countries debate their impact on learning and privacy of children. According to the UNESCO's Global Education Monitoring (GEM) team, 60 education systems (or 30 per cent of the total registered education systems globally) had banned smartphone in schools by the end of 2023 through special laws or policies. By the end of 2024, 19 more joined the list, bringing the total to 79 (or 40 per cent).

India is yet to come up with any specific law or policy on smartphone usage in educational institutions. Some bans have become more stringent in the last year. For example, the Zhengzhou city of China further restricted the use of phones in primary and secondary schools, demanding that parents provide written consent that a phone was really needed for pedagogical reasons.