Mobile Phone Ban in Schools: No Issues with Implementation So Far

Since May 1, mobile phone use is generally prohibited up to the eighth grade. In practice, according to student, teacher, and parent representatives, there seem to be no problems with the new regulation so far. Almost all schools had already restricted mobile phone use before, but according to national student representative Mira Langhammer, the ban still has an impact: "A law is something different from a house rule, so the students - as of now - are rebelling a bit less."

Especially in schools where there were previously less strict or - in rare cases - no regulations at all, or where these were not strictly enforced, "it does make a difference," Langhammer explained in an APA interview. At her location, for example, the mobile phone ban was extended to the first year of upper secondary school following the legislative amendment.

At the schools, children and adolescents were informed about the new rules by the teaching staff, and prohibition signs are also being used. Parents were informed via parent letters or other channels. "It also makes sense to involve the parents," said Langhammer.

Langhammer has not yet heard of any problems with the implementation. The teacher representation had warned before the introduction of the ban that implementation could be difficult due to a trend towards second and third phones among young people. However, since the ban applies to everyone and not everyone has multiple phones, according to the national student representative, "the temptation is not that great." The allure is lost when everyone else is talking to each other instead of looking at their phones.

Even the confiscation of devices that were used in violation of the ban does not seem to be causing any major difficulties so far. The union had previously expressed concerns about who would be liable if a device was damaged or lost.

To his surprise, he has so far received "no inquiries" about the mobile phone ban, reported the chief teacher representative Paul Kimberger (FCG) in an APA interview. Overall, the new regulation seems to be working "relatively well." However, a continuing issue for him is the lack of sanction options, for instance, when parents do not attend meetings after their children repeatedly violate the mobile phone ban.

The parents' association remains satisfied with the nationwide ban. No problems with the implementation of the new rules have been reported there either, as Paul Haschka from the Federal Parents' Association for middle and higher schools described.

According to the regulation in effect since the beginning of May, mobile phones, smartwatches, and similar devices may no longer be used in schools and at school events nationwide up to the eighth grade. Student, parent, and teacher representatives can, however, establish various exceptions, and the use of mobile phones for research or working on material can also be permitted in class.

In case of violations of the mobile phone rules, the teaching staff can confiscate the devices until the end of the school day. In cases of repeated violations or problematic content (bullying, Islamist or pornographic content), the phone can only be handed over to the guardians. If it is damaged or lost after confiscation, the damage will be compensated by the Republic.

If a school already had autonomous regulations regarding mobile phone use, they can generally continue to exist. However, sections of the school rules that contradict the new regulation had to be adjusted.

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here .