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Germany Moves Toward Smartphone Bans in Schools as Federal Minister Proposes Nationwide Guidelines

Federal Education Minister Karin Prien calls for primary school bans and uniform policies, while Bremen prepares to enforce a comprehensive ban for younger students starting June 1.

Bildungsministerin Prien hat sich für ein Verbot privater Handynutzung in Grundschulen ausgesprochen. (Symbolbild)
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Karin Prien bei einer Pressekonferenz des Bildungsministeriums. Sie befürwortet ein Handyverbot an Schulen.
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Overview

  • Bremen will implement a smartphone ban for all students through grade 10 starting June 1, with exceptions only for medical reasons and upper secondary schools retaining policy discretion.
  • Federal Education Minister Karin Prien has formally proposed banning private smartphone use in primary schools and creating nationwide guidelines to support state-level implementation.
  • Studies cited by Prien highlight the negative impacts of excessive screen time on learning outcomes, social skills, and mental health, fueling calls for stricter regulations.
  • Germany’s decentralized school system has led to varying policies, with Bavaria, Hesse, and Bremen adopting bans, while other states like Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia continue to debate the issue.
  • Advocacy groups like the Bundesschülerkonferenz and Bitkom criticize blanket bans, arguing for digital integration and the use of smartphones as learning tools in classrooms.