Survey of Schools Reveals High Parent Demand for Prohibition of Mobile Phones in Educational Institutions
In recent news, there has been a growing discussion about mobile phone usage in schools across Germany. According to the German Teachers' Association, non-school items, including mobile phones, can already be collected at the end of the school day [1]. Schools in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are given the responsibility to regulate mobile phone use themselves [2].
Thomas Brosch, head of digital sales at Postbank, stated that many parents see their children's academic success at risk due to lack of concentration caused by smartphones [3]. A study conducted by Postbank between May and June this year surveyed 3,050 online respondents, revealing that 49% of parents with children believe that smartphones disrupt lessons and concentration [3].
However, the search results do not provide direct information specifically about a generational divide in support for mobile phone bans in schools among parents in Germany. Existing research points to concerns about smartphone impact on youth, but without specifying parental generational attitudes [3].
One study mentioned in the search results illustrates problematic smartphone use and its association with declining quality of life, implying ongoing concerns about younger generations’ smartphone use [3]. However, it does not specifically address parents' generational differences in attitudes toward phone bans in schools.
The German Teachers' Association supports clear rules for mobile phone use in schools but opposes an outright ban [4]. Stefan Dull, president of the German Teachers' Association, believes that many would be tempted to use mobile phones secretly if there is a ban [4]. On the other hand, 80% of parents support a ban on mobile phones in schools, according to the Postbank study [3].
Interestingly, the "Leisure Monitor 2025" study found that many Germans spend a lot of time on their smartphones and the internet [5]. However, it was also discovered that this is not a generational issue; 52% of those aged 40 and above agreed that mobile phones disrupt lessons and concentration, compared to 47% among those aged 18 to 39 [3].
In addition, 32% of parents support a ban on mobile phones in schools but think there should be exceptions for certain situations, according to the Postbank study [3]. Dull advocates for a critical and reflective use of mobile phones, guiding young people towards responsible use [1].
All schools in North Rhine-Westphalia are to establish age-appropriate rules for mobile phone use by autumn [2]. If precise information is needed, consulting German national surveys or studies on parental attitudes towards school phone policies would be required beyond the provided results.
In summary, while there is no direct evidence from current search results about a generational divide among German parents on this issue, concerns about smartphone impact on youth and the academic success of students persist. A more comprehensive study focusing on German parental attitudes towards school phone policies would be necessary to provide a clearer picture.
Technology plays a significant role in the ongoing debate about mobile phone usage in schools, with education-and-self-development and general-news outlets reporting concerns about its impact on academic success. A study conducted by Postbank found that 80% of parents support a ban on mobile phones in schools, yet there exists a need for more research to determine any potential generational differences in attitudes among German parents on this issue.
