Saxony extends ban on cell phones in schools up to 8th grade

The ban on cell phones at state schools is being extended to older age groups in Saxony. Since this school semester, private cell phones have already been taboo at elementary school. Minister of Education Conrad Clemens has now announced that the rule will be extended to older pupils up to the eighth grade.

"I can extend this cell phone ban at state level. I will do that," said the CDU politician in the podcast "Thema in Sachsen" by the "Sächsische Zeitung" and "Leipziger Volkszeitung". The newspapers reported that the extended ban on cell phones would apply from the coming school year after the summer vacations.

Clemens sees the ban as an addition to a social media ban for children up to the age of 14, which is also being discussed. "And I think it goes quite well together: A social media ban until the age of 14. And at the same time a ban on cell phones up to the eighth grade," he said.

Minister: Self-restriction works badly

The self-restriction on cell phone use has its limits - adults also realize this, argued the Minister of Education. "And at the same time, we expect eleven-year-olds to say responsibly: Oh, that's enough with Insta or Snapchat. That's not how it works."

Digital media could very well be used in the classroom - but not for private use, explained Clemens. At the same time, media skills should be strengthened. There should be a media passport - a teaching module in which pupils learn how to use social media and online games responsibly, among other things.