Hamburg's schools in cell phone dilemma: freedom or distraction?

The Hamburg Senate has spoken out in schools for the principle of "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD), which means that students should use their own smartphones in class. This decision was made in the middle of a debate about the advantages and disadvantages of the mobile phone use of students. In order to meet modern requirements, schools have access to WLAN, whiteboards and some devices for needy students.

In response to the increasing concern about the influence of smartphones on students, a group of parents launched the "Smarter Start from 14" initiative. This initiative is committed to avoiding the use of smartphones before the age of 14. The aim is to reduce the group pressure that arises when 20-30 % of the class cannot use a smartphone. In Hamburg, parents of 150 schools are now active in this initiative, there are over 500 schools nationwide.

studies and criticism of weak rules

Several studies, such as the PISA study 2022, have shown that the use of cell phones in class brings disadvantages, such as distractions and an increased risk of bullying. Windbrake, a father and business IT specialist, has sharply criticized the current lax rules and prohibitions. He acts as a representative of the parents, who point out that children often use smartphones in class - a phenomenon that is referred to as "digital sugar". The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for self -control, is not yet sufficiently developed in children.

The debate about mobile phone usage is initiated by the recent experiences at the Christianeum high school in Hamburg, where a mobile phone ban had a positive impact on the students. The CDU calls for uniform guidelines from the red-green Senate, while the SPD, Greens and Leftists rely on solutions that emphasize the self-responsibility of the students.

Currently there is a device for three students in Hamburg schools. The school authority has explained that students can also bring tablets and laptops. However, Windbrake expresses its concerns about the BYOD principle and describes it as "wrong path", since technical protection is inadequate in many cases. He calls for a central management of school devices through mobile device management.

in other countries such as France, Sweden and England, cell phone bans are already implemented in schools. The parents' association has also started an online petition that demands "smartphone -free schools". Windbrake emphasizes that the principle of the self -responsible school is not suitable for cell phone bans.

For more detailed information on the topic, take a look at the study of the German Bundestag, which provides a comprehensive analysis on this topic, as in the analysis of Bundesag.de