Primary schools in Saxony restrict usage of mobile phones
In a recent development, Germany's Federal Minister of Education and Family, Karin Prien, has announced a ban on private cell phone use in all Saxon primary schools, effective from the next semester. This decision comes amidst growing concerns about the impact of screen time on the well-being, learning performance, and social skills of children and young people.
Prien, who has been in office since 2025, attended a summit in Dresden where the issue was discussed. However, specific details about the summit and Prien's stance on the issue were not disclosed.
Education Minister Conrad Clemens, who also attended the summit, mentioned the development of a statewide ban on the use of private cell phones. He emphasized the need for age-appropriate solutions to enable responsible use of private cell phones in secondary schools.
The issue of media literacy was also addressed in the discussions, with Prien stating the necessity of setting clear rules in primary schools. However, no specific details about the measures to strengthen media literacy were provided. A further expert discussion is planned for early 2026, focusing on the use of private cell phones in secondary schools.
Long screen times are a significant concern for Prien, who did not provide specific details about the rules for cell phone use in secondary schools. Clemens' statement from the summit highlighted diverse perspectives on the issue, with a strong desire for clear rules in primary schools and the autonomy of schools, especially for secondary schools, being emphasized.
The discussions also addressed the autonomy of schools in regards to cell phone use, but no specific details were provided about the autonomy of schools in this context.
In addition to these measures, Prien has undertaken tasks such as presenting educational reports and initiating commissions on child and youth protection in the digital world. A summit in Dresden, while not providing specific details, is a testament to her commitment to these issues.
