Kisch on the smartphone ban in middle schools: "It won't be easy"

Education Minister Yoav Kisch announced a ban on smartphone use in middle schools starting in the 2025/26 school year, acknowledging significant opposition among youth. Devices will remain off in bags throughout the day, except for approved learning use. Student council chairperson Rotem Getreida harshly criticized the move, and a survey shows most middle school students oppose it.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch announced a ban on smartphone use in middle schools starting in the 2025/26 school year. At a press conference, he admitted that implementing the ban will face challenges due to student opposition, but emphasized that it is an important step based on comprehensive research. Under the new rules, devices will remain off in bags or designated storage throughout the school day, including breaks, and use will be allowed only in pre-approved lessons for learning purposes. High school students will continue to use devices on school grounds. The national student council chairperson, Rotem Getreida, harshly criticized the decision, calling it disconnected from reality, claiming it will widen the gap between students and teachers. A survey of thousands of students shows that most middle school students oppose the move, and in grades 8 and 9, more than half oppose it and fewer than a fifth support it. Additional data indicate high dependence of youth on screens, with nearly one in five students reporting difficulty completing academic tasks due to distractions, and a third admit they prefer to immerse in screens to avoid emotional coping. The decision continues a previous line in elementary schools, where the ban procedure was tightened.