8 minutes | Friday, 16 May 2025
More schools across Switzerland are introducing mobile phone bans during the school day - including the Collège du Léman (CdL), which implemented a no-phone policy for middle school students (ages 11–14) last August, and will soon expand the rule to secondary students in the next school year.
On the Breakfast Show this morning, we're joined by Dr. Betsy Harvey, Principal of the Middle School at CdL, and Grade 8 student Sofia, to discuss how the policy is working in practice. Sofia explains what the policy looks like day-to-day, how students reacted at first, and how her experience has shaped her perspective. Dr. Harvey shares why the school introduced the ban, leading by example, and what they hope to build on going forward.
Together, they reflect on balancing connection and focus, and what advice they’d give other schools, students, and anyone looking to reduce screen-time.
See CDL.ch for the next opportunity to visit the school and participate in their Open House event.