French President Emmanuel Macron said France will enforce a law banning mobile phone use in the country’s high schools from the new academic year. In a post on X on Monday, Macron said protecting children from the harmful effects of excessive screen use could no longer wait. He said phone-free schools would restore calm for studying.

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said the high-school phone ban could take effect as soon as the new academic year begins following Macron’s decision. The measure is part of legislation designed to protect minors from risks associated with social media use, which was passed on July 21.

The Constitutional Council blocked the law’s most significant provision, which sought to prohibit social media use by children under 15. Bregeon said the high-school mobile phone ban would nevertheless be implemented under a stable, coherent and legal framework. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu will work on a revised version of the social-media provisions, with the government aiming to establish an amended legal framework to protect children and young people by next spring.