The new Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) imposes a mobile phone ban in schools for the first eight school grades. However, the school community committee can autonomously establish exceptions. The head of the department announced this at a press conference on Monday afternoon. Whether similar regulations will be established for the other school grades is still open.

Mobile Phone Ban for First Eight School Grades

Before the announcement, Wiederkehr consulted with experts and sees a consensus that the negative impacts of mobile devices in schools are "massive." They are even greater than those caused by the Corona pandemic. Therefore, a mode must now be found to promote digital learning while simultaneously establishing digital distraction.

Schools Should Generally Be Mobile-Free Zones

Later this month, the minister intends to issue a regulation declaring schools as mobile-free zones in general. This applies to both lessons and breaks. Where the mobile phones, smartwatches, and similar devices are kept can be decided independently by the schools. However, the regulation should clearly state that sanctions can be imposed by the educational institution in case of violations. Wiederkehr mentioned examples such as entries in the class register or summoning parents.

The minister does not see it as a reality that ultimately not much will change, as schools can already establish corresponding regulations. It is a completely different approach when one says that the school is a mobile-free zone. This also strengthens the position of the directors.

80 Percent of Schools Already Have a Mobile Phone Ban

Karin Spahn, who participated in the press conference as a representative of the school principals, saw it the same way. Although 80 percent of schools already have regulations equivalent to a ban, a corresponding decree from the ministry is a "huge reinforcement." According to her, problems with mobile phones are mainly reported from middle schools.

Clear support for Wiederkehr's initiative came from environmental physician Hans Peter Hutter. From a medical perspective, the measure only has advantages. Excessive mobile phone use has many negative effects. This starts with increased irritability and extends to anxiety and sleep disorders. Moreover, the already existing lack of physical activity continues to increase.

"Token Politics": Criticism of Mobile Phone Ban from the Greens

The Green education spokesperson Sigrid Maurer also reacted critically to the announcement. Most schools have already established mobile phone regulations in their house rules, and this works well. "Now the school principals are no longer responsible for the bans, but for the exceptions - that smells a bit like token politics," said Maurer in a statement.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.