Survey Shows Strong Support for Prohibiting Mobile Phones in Educational Institutions Among Parents
In a recent survey, it has been revealed that there is a generational divide in parents' opinions on mobile phone bans in schools across Germany. The study, conducted online between May and June this year, surveyed 3,050 residents and found that both younger parents, often referred to as "digital natives," aged 18-39, and older parents, known as "digital immigrants," aged 40 and above, largely support a ban on cell phone use during school hours.
The study, dubbed the "Digital Study 2025," shows that about 50% of each group agrees to a mobile phone ban in schools and during study time. However, younger parents are generally stricter when it comes to controlling their children's digital device use outside of school. For example, 36% of younger parents restrict phone use before bedtime compared to 26% of older parents, and 40% of younger parents limit daily use time compared to 28% of older parents.
Older parents, on the other hand, tend to emphasize rules like no phone use during meals and place more trust in their children's personal responsibility to regulate their usage without fixed rules (16% vs. 7% among younger parents).
Regarding the cell phone bans in schools specifically, 81% of all parents surveyed agreed that such bans make sense, mostly because phones interfere with lessons and concentration, although some want exceptions for special situations. A further 32% of respondents support a ban but think there should be exceptions for certain situations.
The Postbank study also suggests that the demand for a mobile phone ban in schools is not a generational issue, with approximately 80% of parents supporting such a measure. This indicates a clear generational difference in approach, even if agreement on banning phones during class is widespread.
In other news, teachers have expressed concerns against such a move, warning that a ban might not be effective. In response, Dull, the association chairman, called for clear rules in schools regarding private mobile phone use and suggested that non-school items, including mobile phones, can be confiscated until the end of the school day.
In June, the state parliament of Saarland banned the use of private smartphones and smartwatches in the first four grades of primary and special schools. Schools in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are expected to regulate mobile phone use themselves.
Thomas Brosch, head of digital sales at Postbank, stated that many parents are concerned about the academic success of their children due to a lack of concentration skills. This concern is reflected in the findings of the "Leisure Monitor 2025" study, which found that many Germans, including parents, spend a lot of time on smartphones and the internet.
In conclusion, while both generations of parents in Germany mostly agree on the need for phone restrictions in schools, the underlying attitudes toward digital device control differ between the generations. This highlights the need for schools and parents to work together to find solutions that address the challenges posed by mobile phones while still allowing for responsible and appropriate digital skills development.
- Older parents, despite their support for mobile phone bans in schools, tend to place more trust in their children's personal responsibility to regulate their usage outside of school, unlike younger parents who implement stricter controls.
- The demand for a mobile phone ban in schools, as revealed in the Postbank study, is not a generational issue, with approximately 80% of parents supporting such a measure, indicating a clear generational difference in approach, even if agreement on banning phones during class is widespread.
