Lorraine Williamson
Catalonia will introduce a sweeping ban on mobile phones and smartwatches in all schools from September 2025. The move, announced by regional education minister Esther Niubó, reflects mounting concerns about the impact of digital devices on children’s learning, concentration, and mental health.
Following the pandemic, schools across Spain rapidly adopted digital tools to continue teaching remotely. But as face-to-face lessons returned, so too did debates over how much technology belongs in the classroom. In Catalonia, education experts, health professionals, and parents have increasingly raised concerns over rising screen time, warning of its effects on both academic performance and student well-being.
Research by the Ivàlua Institute and the Commission for Digitalisation and Education found that excessive screen use at school can lower concentration levels and academic performance. Many pupils also reported experiencing anxiety, social pressures, and sleep disruptions linked to constant device usage.
No devices allowed – in class or on campus
Under the new rules, students will not be permitted to use mobile phones or smartwatches anywhere on school premises. The ban will cover classrooms, corridors, playgrounds, and even break times. Only medical exceptions will be considered. The use of personal devices for educational purposes will also be strictly prohibited, marking a major shift from current practices where some schools have incorporated phones into lessons.
Reducing screens in early childhood
The ban also extends to younger children. By 2028, Catalonia plans to gradually phase out the use of tablets and interactive digital whiteboards in nurseries. Authorities hope that minimising screen exposure during the early years will help support social development, physical activity, and face-to-face interaction.
Growing medical concern over children’s screen habits
Spanish paediatricians have repeatedly warned about rising health risks linked to excessive screen use. A recent report by AIJU and Fundación Crecer Jugando found that most children aged 4 to 12 far exceed recommended screen-time limits. Doctors are reporting an increase in sleep disturbances, anxiety, and eyesight problems such as myopia. Despite the growing health concerns, many parents say they struggle to enforce screen limits at home, prompting calls for stronger public policies.
Parents largely back the move
Many parents and teachers have welcomed the ban, hoping it will create calmer classrooms and reduce distractions. Some believe it may also help tackle cyberbullying by limiting unsupervised access to phones during the school day. However, not everyone agrees with the full ban. Critics argue that instead of removing phones altogether, schools should focus on teaching responsible digital habits to prepare students for life in a connected world.
Esmé, a mother from the Netherlands whose daughters attend a school in Groningen where phones have long been restricted, shared her experience: “The rule means phones stay in lockers all day. The children are more relaxed, and they spend breaks actually talking to one another. Even my daughters say they feel less pressure.”
Catalonia’s decision may influence others
Catalonia is the first region in Spain to adopt such a wide-reaching ban on personal devices in schools. Education officials in Madrid, Murcia, and elsewhere are observing the rollout closely. Across Europe, discussions continue over how to balance digital literacy with the need to protect children’s health and education. Catalonia’s approach may well serve as a test case for similar reforms across the continent.
Ditching the screen and the rise of offline socialising in Spain
Sources: El Pais, La Vanguardia