British college banned smartphones from students and handed out Nokia button phones

It will be interesting to see if they will now teach them to compose messages using T9.

The prestigious educational institution Eton College, known for its famous alumni, including princes William and Harry, writer Ian Fleming, and actor Tom Hiddleston, has decided to change the approach to the use of smartphones among its students. Starting from September, first-year students will have to leave their modern gadgets at home and use only simple button phones from Nokia.

Eton's new initiative is based on the recommendations of the UK government, which allow school principals to ban smartphones during the educational process. Students will be able to transfer their SIM cards to simple mobile devices, the functionality of which is limited to calls and text messages. This step is aimed at minimizing distractions and improving students' focus on learning.

The trend of limiting the use of smartphones in schools is gaining momentum not only in the UK but also in the USA. According to Govspend, in 41 states, at least one school district has implemented a rule requiring students to store their smartphones in special locked Yondr pouches during the school day.

In Los Angeles, the school district has implemented a general ban on phones for students, prompting California Governor Gavin Newsom to call for the implementation of a similar law at the state level. In New York, the chancellor of public schools, David Banks, plans to implement a phone ban in the near future, while the state's governor, Kathy Hochul, is working on bills that will allow students to only carry phones without internet access.

What about Ukraine?

While in Britain they are restricting the use of smartphones in schools, in Ukraine, there is an opposite trend. The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine has announced the start of beta testing of the educational app "Mriya." According to representatives of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, "Mriya" will allow students to learn using modern methods, help parents better understand the strengths and weaknesses of their children, and help teachers focus on the development of students and their own professional growth.

Source: Engadget