The Saarland also banned cell phones from primary schools

A cell phone ban is introduced at primary schools in Saarland. « The use of private mobile phones and smartwatches is fundamentally prohibited at all schools in primary level, » said Saarland Minister of Education Christine Streichert-Clivot (SPD). There could be exceptions to mobile phone use for « pedagogical, medical reasons or in emergencies ».

With the new nationwide regulation, « a practice that has already been common in many schools and created a uniform framework for all schools with primary levels should be created ». The schools are asked to adapt their school regulations, the ministry said.

Implementation should be accompanied closely

The planned regulation for the use of private mobile phones and smartwatches for primary schools and the primary level of special schools go beyond a pure ban. « We not only set clear rules, but at the same time promote media literacy and critical thinking in dealing with digital technologies, » said Stranzert-Clivot.

The implementation of the new regulation is closely accompanied. At the beginning of the school year 2025/2026, a nationwide query should record the status of implementation and derive further measures, it said.

In other German federal states there is also the discussion about the ban on cell phones: from the school year 2025/2026, Hessen wants to fundamentally ban the private use of cell phones in schools. In Luxembourg, a general ban on cell phones at primary schools will apply from Easter, at secondary schools, smartphones are to be banished at least from class.