Israel will expand its cellphone ban to middle schools next year, after previously implementing restrictions in elementary schools.

•? ? Under the policy, phones will remain turned off and stored away during the school day, with use allowed only during designated lessons for educational purposes.

•? ? The Education Ministry said studies linked increased smartphone use to sleep disruption, weaker social interaction, reduced concentration and addictive social media behavior.

•? ? Education Minister Yoav Kisch said the long-term goal is to expand the policy to high schools, arguing schools should strengthen human interaction and reduce distractions.