Overview

• New BiB data show 72% of adults oppose private smartphone use at schools without instructional purpose, with preferred minimum ages averaging 11.5 years for phone ownership and 13.5 years for social‑media use.
• The ifo Bildungsbarometer reports 85% of adults favor a social‑media ban for under‑16s, and 47% of 14‑ to 17‑year‑olds support it, with backing strongest among 16‑ to 17‑year‑olds.
• A tagesschau.de legal FAQ says the EU’s DSA is widely viewed as fully harmonizing, and the origin‑country principle means German rules would not bind major platforms headquartered in Ireland.
• States and schools are tightening on‑campus rules and adding support: examples include phone‑off policies, device collection during exams, media‑literacy lessons with police, counseling hours, and a planned digital office in Wildeshausen, plus a voluntary no‑social‑media pledge for Solingen fifth‑graders.
• The Leopoldina recommends a ban under 13 and EU‑level age verification via the forthcoming EUDI‑Wallet, while Baden‑Württemberg’s student council argues any pupil restrictions should also apply to teachers’ private phone use.