by Guisela Chiarella
Today marks the start of the academic year in Friuli Venezia Giulia, and for the first time, students will be subject to a complete ban on smartphone use in classrooms. The new rule, introduced by Italy’s Education Ministry, aims to reshape the classroom environment by eliminating distractions caused by mobile phones. This is the first official school year in the region where the ban is in effect across all grades, from primary school through scuola media (junior high).
The decision, championed by Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara, goes beyond a simple classroom policy; it prohibits phones not only for recreational use but also for educational purposes. “I don’t believe that good teaching can be done with a cell phone until middle school,” Valditara stated during a recent conference in Rome, describing the ban as crucial for restoring teachers’ authority and combatting classroom bullying.
In addition to the phone ban, a significant return to traditional methods is underway as students will once again be required to use paper diaries, or homework journals, to record assignments. Valditara emphasized the importance of handwriting as a developmental tool, saying, “We must get our children used to writing again, to the relationship with the pen and with paper.” While parents can still track homework via digital platforms, the emphasis will now be on pen and paper in daily school life.
The initiative comes in the wake of a broader conversation about the role of technology in education. A 2022 UNESCO report recommended banning smartphones from schools, warning of their negative impact on students’ attention spans and learning capacities. Valditara’s policy builds on this recommendation, extending Italy’s ongoing debate about mobile phone use in schools, which dates back to 2007 when an initial ban was introduced.
InTrieste magazine went downtown in Friuli Venezia Giulia to gauge local reactions. Many parents and teachers are supportive of the new rules, expressing hope that the ban will bring back focus and discipline to the classroom. Antonio Affinita, director of the Italian parents’ movement Moige, welcomed the ban as a “positive” step in reducing “the improper uses of technology” in schools.
However, not everyone is convinced. Some students and educators raised concerns that banning smartphones might disconnect students from educational tools and resources they could otherwise use for learning. Others questioned whether such a rigid policy would be effective in fostering the skills students need in an increasingly digital world.
Great post! Thanks for sharing your experience