Brandenburg Debates Partial Restrictions on Student Smartphone Use in Schools

Education Minister Freiberg opposes a total ban, advocating for a balanced approach to digital and traditional learning tools.

Brandenburg's Education Minister Steffen Freiberg (SPD) has rejected calls for a complete ban on smartphones in schools, emphasizing the importance of teaching responsible digital media use.
The AfD has proposed a full ban on smartphones in kindergartens and primary schools, with exceptions for medical needs; the measure is under discussion in the state parliament.
The SPD and BSW coalition agreement mandates that students' personal devices be kept in bags or lockers during class to minimize distractions.
The CDU has called for a legal framework to enforce a smartphone ban in primary schools, citing international examples of reduced classroom distractions and conflicts.
Freiberg argues that a hybrid approach, combining digital tools with traditional methods like books and notebooks, best serves the educational needs of children.