School official voices objection to widespread cell phone prohibition in educational institutions. - Educational Official Opposes Complete Prohibition of Cell Phones in Academic Institutions
Minister of Education in Lower Saxony Resists Calls for mobile phone ban in Schools, Advocates Guidelines Instead
Lower Saxony's Minister of Education, Julia Willie Hamburg, has voiced opposition to a blanket prohibition on mobile phone usage in schools. Instead, she champions clear directives as a more effective approach.
During a parliamentary debate, Willie Hamburg stresses that legislation for blanket bans appears too simplistic, preferring guidance to provide schools with a legal foundation. However, she raises concerns about the effectiveness of individual state actions.
The minister advocates for nationwide, uniform recommendations, noting that factors affecting children's well-being and education are not bound by state lines.
Willie Hamburg reiterates her stance that primary school-aged children generally do not require mobile phones, and advocates a minimum age limit of 14 for social media use.
The ruling factions of the SPD and Greens in the state parliament have submitted a motion proposing an investigation into the necessity of uniform restrictions on mobile phone use in primary schools. The aim is to support schools in establishing clear rules, involving students and teachers.
SPD education politician Kirsikka Lansmann emphasizes the importance of granting schools autonomy while establishing clear rules. The Red-Green faction also calls for strengthening media literacy and teaching safe digital content handling.
CDU politician Lukas Reinken criticizes the motion for lack of concrete regulations. Reinken advocates clear guidelines in primary schools accompanied by strong, ministerially supported self-responsibility in secondary schools.
The Association of Education and Education in Lower Saxony criticizes the state government for not adequately addressing the issue of mobile phone use. The state chairman, Franz-Josef Meyer, suggests a complete ban in primary schools and restrictions during lessons for grades 5 to 10.
The Education and Science Trade Union also advocates for mobile phone bans in primary schools with a legally secure framework.
The State Student Council expresses reservations about a blanket ban, arguing that mobile phones serve purposes beyond entertainment. Instead, they propose restrictions on usage during class, while allowing students to use phones during breaks.
The Association of Lower Saxony Teachers supports increased media education, but opposes a general phone ban. The union encourages competent, responsible digital device handling lessons as early as the first grade and emphasizes the importance of parental involvement.
In Bremen and Hesse, moves are underway to ban mobile phone use in schools, with Bremen implementing a ban starting June 1 for primary and secondary schools up to grade 10. Hesse plans a general ban on private use of phones, tablets, and smartwatches in schools, starting August.
Mobile phones, Lower Saxony, Phone ban, Minister of Education, Parliament, Phone use, Hamburg, SPD, Red-Green, Children, Social Media
[Enrichment Data:] In Germany, there is no uniform, nationwide ban or guideline regarding mobile phone use in schools due to the autonomy of the federal states in education matters. The city of Bremen will implement an official ban on mobile phone use in primary and middle schools from June 1, 2025, while Hesse plans a general ban on private use of phones, tablets, and smartwatches in schools starting August. The German Federal Education Minister supports banning personal mobile phone use in primary schools across Germany, and there are ongoing discussions among state-level education authorities that may lead to more consistent nationwide guidelines in the near future. These discussions indicate that a harmonized approach may be considered, but the current framework still favors regional discretion.]
In contrast to the city of Bremen and Hesse, where mobile phone bans are being implemented, Lower Saxony's Minister of Education, Julia Willie Hamburg, advocates for nationwide, uniform guidelines on mobile phone usage in schools instead of a blanket ban. These guidelines would provide schools with a legal foundation to support self-development and education, while considering factors affecting children that are not bound by state lines.
The ongoing discussions among state-level education authorities in Germany suggest that a harmonized approach to mobile phone use in schools may be considered in the near future, moving towards more consistent nationwide guidelines for education-and-self-development, policy-and-legislation, and general-news.
