Austrian Government's Decision on Phone Ban in Schools
The newly formed Austrian government, established last week, has decided to impose restrictions on the use of mobile phones and smartwatches in schools as one of its first actions. Christoph Wiederkehr, the Education Minister from the NEOS Party, a liberal partner in the government, shared the details with the public during a press conference. According to the decision, schools will be "areas free of phones and smartwatches" for all students up to the eighth grade. The ban will apply both during lessons and breaks.
Minister Wiederkehr explained the rationale behind the decision by stating, "Mobile phones are enemies of concentration. We want more attention and less digital distraction in schools." However, schools may introduce exceptions for special circumstances; teachers may permit phone usage if it is appropriate for the lesson content. The new regulation is planned to come into effect within this month. Additionally, similar restrictions for students above the eighth grade are also under consideration for the future.
Supporting the decision, renowned medical expert Prof. Hans-Peter Hutter emphasized the importance of the practice, saying, "Phone use is not just a serious issue in schools but throughout society. It leads to severe consequences such as sleeplessness, attention deficit, and physical inactivity." Hutter also highlighted that students in schools limiting phone use tend to be more successful and happier.
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