Chongqing Enforces Ban on Student Smartphone Use on Campus Starting September 1

Beginning September 1, 2026, a new local regulation in Chongqing will officially take effect, granting schools the authority to prohibit students from bringing smartphones and other smart terminal devices onto campus or using them within school premises. The regulation, titled the "Chongqing Municipal Regulation on the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency," also imposes strict controls on internet usage within schools, marking a significant step in the city's efforts to curb online addiction and misconduct among minors.
The move aligns with national-level directives from China's Ministry of Education, which in both 2021 and 2025 issued guidelines banning mobile phones from classrooms and promoting a "screen-free initiative" aimed at reducing excessive screen time for students. By embedding these requirements into local legislation, Chongqing has elevated what was previously a policy recommendation into a legally enforceable standard, providing schools with clear legal backing to manage student behavior.
Under the new rules, schools across Chongqing at the compulsory education level are designated as the primary implementation bodies. They are empowered to set specific policies regarding device restrictions, including whether to allow phones on campus but require them to be turned in during school hours, or to ban them entirely. The regulation also requires schools to manage their digital environments more carefully, limiting students' access to non-educational online content during school hours.
This initiative is not entirely new to China. Several other regions, including Fujian Province, Guangzhou City, and Zhengzhou City, have already implemented similar restrictions over the past few years. However, Chongqing's approach stands out for embedding the measures into a broader framework of delinquency prevention, treating device usage and internet behavior as integral factors in adolescent development and social well-being.
The regulation emphasizes prevention and education rather than punishment. It directs schools to incorporate digital literacy and responsible internet use into their curricula, while also encouraging parental involvement in monitoring children's device use at home. Officials have stated that the goal is not merely to restrict, but to foster healthier habits and self-discipline among young people in an increasingly digital world.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about practical implementation, such as how schools will securely store confiscated devices and how to address situations where students need phones for communication after school. Proponents argue that the benefits of reducing distractions and protecting students from harmful online content outweigh these logistical challenges.
As digital devices become ever more pervasive in daily life, Chongqing's regulation represents a growing recognition among Chinese policymakers that proactive measures are needed to safeguard the well-being of minors. The success of this initiative may serve as a model for other provinces considering similar legislative action, reflecting a broader societal push to balance technological opportunity with child protection.