Strict Phone Ban Implemented in Numerous Swiss Schools

In the Swiss educational landscape, a growing controversy surrounds the use of mobile phones in schools. This debate involves parents, teachers, scientists, and politicians, as well as various cantons with differing approaches to the issue.

Recently, the canton of Nidwalden has taken a significant step, extending its mobile phone ban to all school events, not just during school hours. Previously, the ban applied only during breaks and at school events up to grade 9 in Aargau. In Nidwalden, private electronic devices are now prohibited on school grounds for all primary schools.

The canton of Aargau, too, has implemented a uniform regulation as of the end of summer holidays. This ban includes mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, and laptops in class, during breaks, and at school events up to grade 9, with exceptions for educational purposes or health reasons.

Interestingly, some mobile phone bans in schools are initiated by individual municipalities, like Würenlos in Aargau, where a ban has been in place for over 17 years, reportedly with positive experiences.

However, the Swiss Confederation does not wish to interfere in cantonal matters regarding a mobile phone ban in schools. Each canton in Switzerland has its own rules or delegates regulations to schools regarding mobile phone use. As a result, 26 Swiss cantons have various approaches. Some, like Aargau, Nidwalden, Vaud, and Valais, have introduced cantonal-wide mobile phone bans in schools, while others, such as Bern, Solothurn, and Lucerne, leave mobile phone rules to individual schools' discretion.

New restrictions on mobile phone use in schools during summer 2023 have been implemented in Aargau, Nidwalden, Valais, and Vaud. Schools in Switzerland, much like those in Germany, are responsible for dealing with the issue of mobile phone use.

Concerns about the potential effects of intensive smartphone use on learning disabilities, addiction, and psychosomatic effects are growing in the debate. The Swiss Federal Council has shown openness to restrictions on mobile phone use in schools, but Education Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider has expressed reservations about a nationwide ban.

The Swiss Parliament's smaller Council of States called for an investigation into the impact of a mobile phone ban on youth protection in March 2025. New developments and somewhat stricter approaches to the mobile phone ban issue in schools are expected with the start of the new school year.

While resources such as the videos "c't 3003" and "Peertube" and the website "our website & ct" are available, their relevance to the mobile phone ban debate is not specified. The mobile phone ban exceptions in Aargau now also apply to the canton of Nidwalden in Central Switzerland.

Despite the ongoing debate, it's important to note that there is currently no nationwide mobile phone ban in schools in Switzerland.