(de-news.net) – Prior to the forthcoming ‘Mobile Phone Summit’ in Dresden, Federal Minister of Education Karin Prien (CDU) has expressed her opposition to the implementation of nationwide standardized regulations concerning smartphone usage in educational institutions. She contended that federalism did not constitute an impediment in this matter. Drawing upon empirical evidence, she highlighted the documented adverse health effects associated with excessive use of digital devices among children and adolescents, and commended the proactive initiatives undertaken by individual federal states to establish context-sensitive regulatory frameworks.

Furthermore, she emphasized that regulatory prohibitions within schools alone were insufficient to address the broader issue. She advocated for complementary preventative measures beyond the educational environment, particularly through the conscientious conduct of parents, whose exemplary behavior she deemed essential. Prien reiterated the policy she had previously enacted in Schleswig-Holstein, which stipulates that primary school pupils should not possess mobile phones for private use. Conversely, the Saxon state parliament had declined to adopt a general prohibition, instead delegating regulatory authority to individual schools.

According to the Saxon Ministry of Education, the Dresden symposium is expected to include an evaluation of a survey concerning mobile phone usage in primary schools. In addition, discussions are scheduled with various stakeholders to delineate their respective responsibilities in managing digital device usage within the classroom context.