Saxony implements stricter smartphone rules for students

Starting this Monday, schools in Saxony, Germany, are implementing stricter rules regarding the private use of smartphones. According to Saxony's Minister of Education, Conrad Clemens, students in secondary schools and gymnasiums up to the 8th grade are generally required to keep their devices in backpacks or lockers during the school day.

While the devices may still be carried to school and used during commutes, their use within the school building is restricted unless permitted by a teacher for educational purposes or required for medical reasons, such as diabetes management apps. Clemens described the measure not as a ban, but as a 'liberation' intended to increase concentration, improve academic performance, and encourage direct social interaction among students.

Despite the restrictions on private use, the state is emphasizing digital literacy. A new 'media pass' has been prepared to teach students about social media, online gaming, misinformation, and the role of artificial intelligence in the classroom.