The Thuringia’s Ministry of Education has introduced binding restrictions on the private use of mobile phones and other digital devices at primary schools and in the primary sections of community and special-needs schools; at the same time, the ministry ordered a review of practical implementation in spring 2026. The measure was initially announced in a letter to schools at the start of the 2025/2026 school year, which set out specific guidance on how it should be applied. Thuringia says the move is intended to serve educational goals and encourage age-appropriate media use. (As of: ministry review commissioned, 7 April 2026). ([school portal-thueringen.de](https://www.schulportal-thueringen.de/services/resources/download/public/2289147/2025-08-14%20Elterninformation%20Schuljahresbeginn%202025-2026.pdf?utm_source=openai))
Under the rules, schools are to set out how the ban is applied in their school rules ; possible approaches range from requiring phones to be switched to flight mode to central drop-off points or phone lockers. The Ministry of Education stresses that teachers may still permit devices to be used for lessons and that equipment may be temporarily confiscated if used improperly. These rules are based on existing provisions of the Thuringian School Act. ([bildungsserver.de](https://www.bildungsserver.de/onlineressource.html?onlineressourcen_id=66393&utm_source=openai))
The order has prompted mixed reactions in Thuringia: the state parents’ council publicly opposed a blanket mobile phone ban while a survey survey by the Ministry of Education in June 2026 found that most primary schools had so far implemented the rules without major problems. Unions and the teachers’ association pointed to unanswered questions about enforcement and educational approaches. The debate centres in particular on balancing protection from distraction and cyberbullying against the beneficial use of digital media in lessons. ([mdr.de](https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/thueringen/elternsprecher-handyverbot-schule-unterricht-100.html?utm_source=openai))
In practice, responsibility for the precise rules now lies with individual school communities; the ministry has asked them to draw up age-appropriate school rules with input from the school conference. The announced review is intended to establish the extent to which schools combine technical solutions, organisational measures or educational initiatives, and whether further state-wide requirements are needed. The ministry’s statements about the review and survey findings are documented; outstanding questions concern the scope and timetable of the analysis and possible legislative adjustments. ([n-tv.de](https://www.n-tv.de/regionales/thueringen/Ministerium-erhebt-Umsetzung-des-Handyverbots-an-Schulen-id30688541.html?utm_source=openai))
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).