Ban imposed on 10th graders
With the opening of schools in Germany, mobile phone bans have begun to expand. This decision, taken to protect the mental health of students, is being implemented in various ways across different states.
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While mobile phone use in schools is being banned in many European countries, this practice is also becoming widespread in Germany. While countries such as France, the Netherlands, Austria, and Belgium have similar bans, states in Germany are making their own regulations. In the state of Hesse, the use of smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches is prohibited. These devices can only be used in specific situations. These bans aim to protect students from excessive technology use and to prevent bullying and the spread of dangerous content in schools.
Klaus Zierer, who advises the Hesse government, stated, "Smartphones should be removed from schools, completely banned in primary schools, and there should only be a few exceptions in upper grades." Zierer noted that these bans also reduce the time spent on cyberbullying. In Bremen, the ban covers students up to the 10th grade. In North Rhine-Westphalia, schools can make their own decisions.
SMART WITHOUT PHONE PROJECT
Within the scope of the "Smart ohne Phone" (Smart without Phone) project implemented across Germany, students are prohibited from using phones during breaks. The phones of students who do not comply with these rules are confiscated by the school administration and delivered to their parents the next day. Dalton High School in Alsdorf is one of the schools implementing this project. The vast majority of teachers state that this practice has positively changed students' behavior and increased their concentration. 85 percent of parents are satisfied with this ban.
BANS CONTINUE AT HOME TOO
Some schools request that students stay away from social media at home as well. In Solingen, fifth-grade students are required not to use social media platforms. This practice was proposed by a former school principal, Burkhard Brörken. Brörken states that parents generally support this rule and that children's mental health is negatively affected by excessive smartphone use.
Mobile phone bans are not welcomed by all segments. Hendrik Streeck, the Federal Government's Commissioner for Addiction and Drug Issues, advocates for age restrictions for social media while opposing mobile phone bans. Student representatives and unions are also skeptical of the bans and argue that young people should learn to use their smartphones responsibly.