Survey: Majority for restriction of private cell phone use in schools

According to a current survey, more than 90 percent of people in Germany would like a limitation of private cell phone use in schools. This emerges from a representative survey of the opinion research institute YouGov on behalf of the German Press Agency. According to this, 50 percent of the respondents spoke in favor of a general ban on private cell phone use in schools, 41 percent support a sub -ban at certain times. Nine percent find that private cell phone use in schools should generally not be prohibited.

People took part in the representative online survey between June 13 and 16, 2018. The majority of them (915) was 55 years old or older.

Older supports banned or partial ban with a large majority

The greatest consent to restrictions on private cell phone use in schools was 97 percent among those surveyed aged 55 and over. 60 percent of them support a general ban, 37 percent spoke out for a ban at certain times.

Among the 18- to 24-year-olds, approval for a general ban at 26 percent is lowest. After all, almost half of the young people in this age group stated that it was advocated at certain times. A quarter of the respondents in this age group spoke out against a ban or other restrictions.

Several federal states are planning new bans

In many places, a ban on private cell phone use in schools is discussed in Germany. The background is above all the distraction potential that cell phones in schools. Some federal states have already decided or announced bans to make restrictions. For example, a mobile phone ban for students applies to all Bavarian primary schools. From the next school year 2025/2026, the state of Hesse plans to prohibit private cell phone use in schools. Saarland is also planning to ban private cell phone use at least at primary schools.

Federal Minister Prien for private mobile phone at primary schools

The new Federal Minister of Education Karin Prien (CDU) recently spoke out for a nationwide ban on private cell phone use at primary schools. “Private mobile phone usage should be prohibited in primary school. At secondary schools, age -appropriate rules should be found as possible,” Prien to the Funke Mediengruppe said.

How and whether bans are ultimately implemented is a country matter. A majority of YouGov-sought-after (72 percent) finds that the schools should even have freedom to set up their own rules for private cell phone use on their school premises. 28 percent, on the other hand, do not believe that the schools themselves should have this scope for choice.