Cyprus schools to ban not only smartphones, but also smartwatches

The ban on the use of mobile phones in Cyprus schools will effectively also apply to smartwatches, as well as other devices that can function as a phone or connect to one.

The Ministry of Education explained that schools are increasingly noticing students wearing smartwatches with mobile phone functions. Under the new guidelines, bringing and using such watches at school is prohibited. Teachers cannot check every day whether a device has a SIM card installed, whether calls can be made from it or whether it can be connected to a mobile phone via Bluetooth.

The Ministry also cites safety concerns. In particular, it is necessary to rule out the possibility of students’ devices connecting via Bluetooth to unknown devices or users.

School administrations have been instructed to inform parents and explain that the restriction is aimed not only at children’s safety, but also at ensuring a normal learning process.

However, the ban does not apply to sports digital watches that cannot be used as mobile phones and do not have a data exchange function via Bluetooth. Such devices are permitted if they are used exclusively to track a child’s physical activity.