Numerous parents advocate for a prohibition of mobile phones in educational institutions, according to a survey.
In a recent survey commissioned by Postbank, it has been revealed that 80% of parents in Germany support a ban on mobile phones in schools. The head of digital sales at Postbank, Thomas Brosch, expressed concern that the academic success of many children is at risk due to a lack of concentration skills, which could be attributed to the constant distraction caused by mobile devices.
The call for a mobile phone ban in schools is not a generational issue, as evidenced by the Postbank study. However, there are generational differences in opinions about this issue. Younger generations, particularly current students, experience direct pressure and anxiety from mobile phone use in schools, such as fear of missing out (FOMO) and distractions. Older generations, including educators and policymakers, focus more on structured rules, safety concerns, and the creation of a safer learning environment.
Research from Germany indicates problematic smartphone use among youth, and studies draw on cohort data to explore these behavioral trends. Younger students report stress and distraction linked to phone use, showing support for bans to reduce anxiety and improve focus. On the other hand, educators and policymakers (likely older generations) emphasize safety, privacy, and order reasons for bans.
Despite the lack of explicit direct opinion comparisons across generations in Germany, the evidence is based on observed generational behavioral patterns and policy responses. The German Teachers' Association opposes an absolute ban on mobile phones in schools and warns against secret use if a ban is implemented.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, all schools are to establish age-appropriate rules for mobile phone use by autumn. Schools in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, on the other hand, are to regulate mobile phone use themselves. 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.
The "Leisure Monitor 2025" study found that many Germans, including parents, spend a lot of time on smartphones and the internet. Many respondents complained about the neglect of purely analog leisure activities. Digital media should be used purposefully in schools, according to Dull, to help children and young people develop digital skills.
Interestingly, 52% of those aged 40 and above agreed that mobile phones disrupt lessons and concentration, compared to 47% of those aged 18 to 39, according to the study. Smartphones have a high potential for distraction, according to Dull, who called for clear rules in schools.
In conclusion, the demand for a ban on mobile phones in schools is gaining support among parents and educators in Germany. The ban is seen as a response to the generational challenges posed by problematic smartphone use among youth and the need for a safer, more focused learning environment. However, the specific opinions of different generations in Germany on this issue are not explicitly detailed in the available search results but can be inferred from behavioral and policy research.
- Technology, particularly smartphones, is a concern for educators and policymakers, as they believe that constant use during school hours can disrupt lessons and compromise concentration.
- The debate regarding the ban of mobile phones in schools is not limited to a generational divide; younger generations, such as students, express concerns about stress and distraction, while older generations, such as educators and policymakers, prioritize safety, privacy, and order.
