Mobile Phone Ban in Schools Has Positive Effects

A ban on cell phones in schools can improve the social climate and boost learning performance, according to a new study. However, older students, in particular, should also learn how to use smartphones properly.

Researchers come to a clear conclusion. In their study, the Augsburg researchers compared five extensive studies from Norway, Spain, the Czech Republic, England, and Sweden. They found that a smartphone ban has measurably positive effects on the social well-being of students.

Since the social climate is crucial for successful learning and teaching, these positive effects are likely to continue intensifying in the long term. Furthermore, the ban has an impact on students' learning performance.

The two Augsburg scientists report that this also confirms the experiences of many teachers: placing a smartphone prominently on the desk limits concentration and thus the learning process.

In addition, cell phones generally worsen the social climate in schools, for example, through cyberbullying. Therefore, a ban should also help make schools a safer place – especially for younger students.

A ban without educational support does not achieve much

The researchers emphasize that a simple ban on cell phones without educational support won't achieve much. Children and young people must learn how to use technology responsibly. They therefore recommend always combining a ban with educational measures that promote students' media literacy.

Since smartphones also offer great potential for communication and information gathering, teachers should utilize them as a teaching tool. This is important for developing media literacy in young people.

As students grow older, they should be responsible for their own mobile phone use. According to the researchers, a strict ban is only justified in the lower grades.

More countries are introducing bans on mobile phones.

In several countries, such as France and Italy, mobile phones have been banned in schools for some time. Since 2024, this has also been the case in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. In Germany, calls for a ban on mobile phones in schools are growing louder again.

The federal states are responsible for matters related to schools. They can establish principles and prohibitions at their own discretion. Individual schools can also develop their own rules within their house rules. However, they must always adhere to the principle of proportionality and refrain from violating students' fundamental rights, their freedom of personal development, or their property rights.

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