'Spending hours on a phone cannot be good for young people': Education Minister

On Tuesday morning, our colleagues from RTL Radio spoke with Minister of Education Claude Meisch about Luxembourg's new ban on smartphones in primary and secondary schools.

As of Tuesday, smartphones and other connected devices are prohibited in primary schools and drop-in centres ("maisons-relais").

"This is an important step in preventing children from becoming too distracted", said Minister Meisch, arguing that "Time spent on a mobile phone is often wasted time that depresses you instead of strengthening you."

Minister expresses "confidence in teachers" to enforce rules

If a student violates the ban, teachers may confiscate the device and return it only after school. Teachers' unions had previously criticised the ministry's guidelines as too vague, but Meisch affirmed his trust in educators to apply the rules appropriately.

"I have confidence in teachers to handle the situation correctly and to judge when and how to act," he said. Meisch noted that "this is what they already do with common sense on a daily basis with all other rules, and school is a structured environment with many rules."

Stricter rules in secondary schools after Pentecost holidays

Following the Pentecost holidays, secondary schools will implement tighter restrictions on mobile phone use. Students will be required to maintain "physical distance" from their smartphones during lessons.

According to Meisch, the announcement alone has already made phones "less visible" in school buildings. He stressed the importance of fostering face-to-face interaction among students. However, he clarified that iPads will still be permitted for educational purposes, while secondary schools will impose stricter controls over Wi-Fi-accessible content.

Parents urged to "lead by example," though many feel "overwhelmed"

Reducing smartphone use in schools is only part of the solution, Minister Meisch emphasised, calling on parents to lead by example. He highlighted the importance of media literacy in ensuring responsible use of digital devices.

However, the minister acknowledged that many parents feel "overwhelmed" by the challenge. "They often don't know what their children are doing online," Meisch said, warning that "the digital jungle can be more dangerous than real life."

While schools and the Ministry of Education have taken steps to regulate device use, Meisch stressed that broader societal responsibility is needed. Parents, policymakers, and other sectors must collaborate to restrict harmful content and establish clear guidelines for when and how children should engage with technology, according to the minister.

"These are discussions we absolutely must have", he said, adding, "but this extends far beyond schools and the role of the Ministry of Education."

Letting children "do something stupid in a normal way"

Citing scientific studies, Meisch argued that excessive smartphone use harms children and teenagers. "Spending hours on a phone cannot be good for them", he said, while simultaneously asserting that "something is missing."

He advocated for allowing young people to occasionally "do something stupid in a normal way." Such experiences, he suggested, would ultimately benefit their development.