German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has voiced his support for a nationwide ban on mobile phones in primary schools, citing concerns over digital distractions among young learners.
Speaking in an interview with public broadcaster ARD on Sunday, Merz said: “Children need to learn to read, write and do maths not play around on their mobile phones.” He added that enforcing age restrictions on social media would be “much harder to enforce,” highlighting the broader challenges of managing digital exposure among youth.
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Merz’s position aligns with a trend across several German federal states, including Brandenburg, Bremen, Hesse, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia, which have recently implemented stricter rules on smartphone use in schools. These measures aim to reduce distractions and encourage better concentration, classroom participation, and social interaction among students.
