While some European countries, such as Greece or Italy, already have a ban on mobile phones in schools and in Styria there are plans for primary, secondary and high schools, Minister of Education Martin Polaschek (ÖVP) is calling for individual solutions on the ground .
A current flyer now recommends that schools at least have regulations. Student representatives and experts also advocate this, but mobile phones should not be a taboo subject.
The school must show students how to use mobile phones sensibly through targeted use in lessons. At the same time, it is their job to tackle risks and dangers – such as effects on the ability to concentrate, unprotected access to violence or pornography, fake news or social isolation via social media, according to the ministry’s recommendations.
Mobile phone only as a learning tool
Although the mobile phone, under the guidance of teaching staff, can be a “useful learning tool” for reviewing material, understanding complex content, researching and critically questioning information on the Internet, the ministry said still “basically cell phone free time.” According to the department, that’s why many schools have “cell phone garages” where cell phones are turned off during class or kept in airplane mode.
To regulate mobile phone use, the ministry proposes, in addition to house rules, lesson contracts that are drawn up together with the students. If the lesson is disrupted by mobile phones, they can also be removed by the teacher according to the school regulations until the end of the lesson. The recommendations also call for encouraging cell phone breaks. The correct interaction of the students and the entire class “deserves recognition”.
“Mobile phones should not become a taboo subject”
“Of course, every school needs its own rules,” says federal school spokeswoman Mira Langhammer of the student association affiliated with the ÖVP, saying that educational institutions have an obligation. However, these should be discussed in a way that they are suitable for everyone and also differ per age group, she emphasized to the APA. At the same time, she demands education from schools. “So as far as we are concerned, mobile phones should not become a taboo subject in schools, but quite the opposite.”
From Langhammer’s point of view, people in elementary schools can generally stay away from smartphones. At Level 1 of secondary school (especially middle school and AHS primary school), the ban should then be relaxed by teachers installing cell phones in the classroom. The young people “need clear rules that must be agreed upon depending on the school location,” Langhammer emphasized. For example, it could be agreed that mobile phones should remain switched off in the school bag during the day.
However, in secondary and secondary vocational schools, AHS upper secondary schools and vocational schools, the Federal Student Council calls on students to take personal responsibility: they must be able to use their mobile phone during breaks as often as they think it is useful and independently during the breaks. class set aside. “This is an important skill that you will definitely need later in your (professional) life,” says Langhammer.
Rules also apply to class chats
The experts at Saferinternet also argue for regulation of mobile phone use in schools – be it through a mobile phone ban or through clear behavioral agreements. According to the organization, since students were given digital devices in secondary school 1 and mobile phones are no longer required as digital tools in the classroom, many schools have introduced rules that almost ban them. During breaks, use is often limited so that young people can interact more with each other.
According to Saferinternet, even if there is a complete ban on mobile phones at school, there should be rules for the ‘online spaces’ used by the class, such as chat groups – for example an agreement on who will intervene in unpleasant situations or if illegal content is shared. Currently, there are few, if any, such designated online class representatives. “The school certainly has the task to start here as well,” says Langhammer. After all, it is also a problem at school if there is cyberbullying or if Nazi messages are spread in class groups.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
