JERUSALEM (December 14) – Cellphone use will be prohibited in Israeli elementary schools beginning February, Education Minister Yoav Kisch announced Thursday, citing the need to reduce distractions and support students’ social and emotional development.
Kisch said the policy aims to encourage face-to-face interaction and limit constant screen exposure, calling it part of a broader effort to strengthen social ties and improve learning conditions. Mobile phones will be allowed only in specific classes where approved for educational use.
The Education Ministry will support schools through classroom programs and parent engagement to promote responsible phone use, prevent social media misuse, and limit exposure to inappropriate content. Officials noted that frequent phone use is linked to lower academic performance, with many children receiving smartphones as early as first grade.
Unlike previous guidelines left to school heads, the new rule will apply to all elementary school areas, including during breaks. The policy does not yet cover middle and high schools, and implementation will be gradual to allow schools time to adjust.
