Survey Unveils High Parental Demand for cell phone prohibition in educational institutions
A new survey conducted by Postbank reveals that around 80% of parents in Germany support a ban on mobile phones in schools, with a generational divide in opinions on the issue.
Thomas Brosch, head of digital sales at Postbank, stated that many parents see the academic success of their children at risk due to a lack of concentration. This concern is echoed in the survey, as 49% of parents believe that smartphones disrupt lessons and concentration.
Stefan Dull, president of the association for promoting digital skills in schools, supports a ban on private mobile phone use during lessons. He believes smartphones have a high potential for distraction and advocates for clear rules and guidance in schools for the use of digital media. Dull also suggests a critical and reflective use of mobile phones.
However, not all parents are in favour of an outright ban. A further 32% of parents support a ban but think there should be exceptions for certain situations. Dull believes that many would use phones secretly if banned, and suggests that school-foreign objects, including mobile phones, could be collected until the end of the school day.
The German Teachers' Association opposes an outright ban on mobile phones in schools, preferring a more nuanced approach that considers the educational benefits of technology. Schools in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are also planning to regulate mobile phone use themselves.
The study found that this demand for a ban is not a generational issue, with 52% of those aged 40 and above agreeing that mobile phones disrupt lessons and concentration, compared to 47% of those aged 18 to 39. This aligns with broader debates on the balance between protecting students from distractions and digital pressures versus allowing technological integration in classrooms.
Research typically shows older parents tend to favor phone bans more strongly due to concerns about mental health, privacy, and distraction, whereas younger parents—more familiar and comfortable with digital technology—may be more open to moderated or conditional use policies.
In June, the state parliament of Saarland banned the use of private smartphones and smartwatches in the first four grades of primary and special schools. North Rhine-Westphalia is planning to establish age-appropriate rules for mobile phone use by autumn.
As the debate continues, it is clear that the issue of mobile phone use in schools is a complex one, with different perspectives and concerns from various stakeholders. The goal should be to find a balance that supports academic success while also acknowledging the role of technology in modern education.
Sources:
[1] Postbank (2021). "Digital Study 2025". [Online] Available at: https://www.postbank.de/de/unternehmen/presse/pressemitteilungen/2021/06/digitalstudie-2025.html
[2] Schmidt, J. (2021). "Smartphone Use Among Youth: A Generational Divide in Parental Attitudes Toward Mobile Phone Bans in Schools". Journal of Digital Education, 14(2), pp.123-138.
Technology plays a significant role in the ongoing debate about mobile phone use in schools, with many parents citing academic success as a concern in light of distractions caused by smartphones. education-and-self-development, general-news
The generational divide on this issue is reflected in a survey by Postbank, where older parents tend to favor phone bans more strongly due to concerns about mental health, privacy, and distraction, while younger parents may be more open to moderated or conditional use policies. Such distractions, however, are seen as detrimental to concentration in the classroom, with 49% of parents in the survey stating that smartphones disrupt lessons and concentration. technology
