High Poll Indicates Widespread Desire for School Cell Phone Restrictions
Mobile Phone Usage in Schools: A Generational Divide Among German Parents
A new study reveals a notable difference in opinions about mobile phone usage in schools among German parents, with younger parents, often referred to as "digital natives" (ages 18-39), imposing stricter limits on their children's smartphone and social media use compared to older parents, or "digital immigrants" (aged 40+).
According to the "Digital Study 2025," approximately 50% of both age groups agree that mobile phones disrupt lessons and concentration during school hours. However, when it comes to enforcing restrictions, younger parents are more proactive. For instance, 36% of digital natives limit their children's phone use before bedtime, compared to 26% of digital immigrants. Similarly, 40% of younger parents limit daily usage times, compared to 28% of older parents.
The study also found that 81% of parents overall believe a mobile phone ban in schools is sensible, largely due to the interference with concentration during lessons. Older parents tend to emphasize personal responsibility over fixed rules, with 54% focusing on restricting phone use during meals, compared to 46% for younger parents.
Stefan Dull, president of the German Teachers' Association, advocates for a critical and reflective use of mobile phones, guiding young people towards a considered use. He believes that the use of digital media should be specifically guided in schools to help children and young people develop the necessary skills to use digital media and social networks appropriately and responsibly. Dull also suggests clear rules in schools regarding mobile phone use and calls for the collection of "school-irrelevant objects," including mobile phones, at the end of the school day.
However, the German Teachers' Association opposes an absolute ban on mobile phones in schools, expressing concerns against such a measure. Dull believes that smartphones have a high potential for distraction, which even many adults struggle with, but argues that a ban could lead to secret use if enforced, a concern shared by many.
In response to these concerns, schools in North Rhine-Westphalia and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are planning to establish age-appropriate rules for mobile phone use by autumn. This move aims to strike a balance between the need for digital media in education and the potential disruptions caused by unregulated usage.
References: [1] Digital Study 2025, conducted online between May and June this year, with 3,050 residents surveyed. [2] Leisure Monitor 2025, which indicates that many Germans, including parents, spend a lot of time on their smartphones and the internet, and complain about neglected purely analog leisure activities.
- In the context of digital media usage and education-and-self-development, Stefan Dull, president of the German Teachers' Association, advocates for a responsible and reflective use of mobile phones, aiming to guide young people towards a critical understanding of technology and its impact on their lifestyle.
- Schools in North Rhine-Westphalia and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are planning to implement age-appropriate rules for mobile phone usage in the upcoming autumn, seeking a balance between incorporating technology in service of education and minimizing distractions caused by unregulated usage.
