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Bremen to Enforce Smartphone Ban in Schools Starting June 1

The ban applies to students up to grade 10, with exceptions for medical needs, as Germany debates broader restrictions on private phone use in schools.

Overview

  • Bremen's new policy prohibits private smartphone use for students through grade 10 starting June 1, with enforcement by school staff.
  • The ban is grounded in research linking smartphone use to reduced learning ability, social interaction, and physical activity among students.
  • Exceptions will be made for medical reasons, while upper secondary schools retain autonomy over phone-use policies.
  • Bremen follows Hesse as the second German state to restrict phones in schools, with Hesse's policy set to begin in the 2025/26 school year.
  • Federal Education Minister Karin Prien has called for a nationwide ban in primary schools, emphasizing the need for unified guidelines based on scientific evidence.