Back to school in Benin: keeping phones away helps maintain attention in class

A circular note issued on January 3, 2018, formally prohibited the use of phones in schools by students and during class hours by teachers. The document outlined administrative sanctions for non-compliance. Eight years later, Matin Libre noted on September 16 that the use of phones during lessons remains regulated in Benin.

However, the issue is no longer simply about opposing phones and schools. A smartphone can be used to access resources or conduct research when permitted by a teacher. Outside of this framework, notifications, messaging, games, and social media create a constant competition for attention within the classroom.

This concern extends far beyond Benin. In March 2026, UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report identified 114 education systems that had implemented a national ban on phones in schools, representing 58% of the countries monitored. This figure was only 24% in June 2023.

The available data explains this acceleration. A meta-analysis covering 14 countries and all levels of education highlights a negative impact of smartphone presence on academic performance. Other studies cited by UNESCO indicate that after a distraction, a student may take up to twenty minutes to fully regain their focus.

Restrictions do not yield the same effects everywhere, but UNESCO reports performance gains following smartphone limitations in Belgium, Spain, and the United Kingdom, particularly among the lowest-performing students.