Luxembourg's decision to block under-15s from accessing the Eduroam network has drawn criticism from the National Students’ Conference (CNEL), which argues the move hinders digital inclusion, learning, and equal opportunities.
In Luxembourg schools, it’s not only mobile phone use that is now restricted or banned – access to Eduroam, the international Wi-Fi network for education, has also been limited. Since the Pentecost holidays, students under the age of 15 can no longer connect to the network, a move that has drawn criticism from the National Students’ Conference (CNEL).
While the CNEL supports reasonable rules on phone use in schools, the organisation never advocated for a total ban, arguing that cutting Eduroam access further reduces younger pupils’ ability to engage with the digital world.
Eduroam, short for Education Roaming, is a global Wi-Fi network primarily used by schools and universities in over 100 countries. After the decision of the Education Ministry was made public, the CNEL voiced strong concerns, saying that students should be learning how to navigate the internet responsibly, not being shielded from it entirely. They argued that restricting access does not help children build digital skills – it hinders them.
Luca Roettgers, president of the CNEL, explained that education’s role is to guide students in learning how to use digital tools safely and effectively. He noted that locking access is counterproductive, likening it to spending three years learning driving theory only to be handed car keys without ever having driven. In his view, meaningful digital education requires hands-on experience.
One of the government’s concerns is that Eduroam cannot filter content, meaning students have unrestricted access to the internet. Roettgers acknowledged this, pointing out that as an international network, Eduroam cannot easily be modified or controlled at the local level. However, he added that rather than simply banning it for under-15s, a better solution would have been to create a dedicated national version of Eduroam, tailored to schools in Luxembourg and designed with appropriate safeguards.
He also raised the issue of social exclusion, warning that younger students, who already tend to have less representation in student councils and often lack digital experience, are being pushed further to the margins. Many school communications take place through digital platforms like Microsoft Teams or WhatsApp, and removing Wi-Fi access only worsens this disconnect, he stated.
Speaking to Radio 100,7, Lex Folscheid, Senior Adviser at the Ministry of Education, defended the decision, stating that students should first be prepared for the digital world and that the age of 15 marks a more appropriate level of digital maturity.
Roettgers countered that maturity is not tied strictly to age. Some young people are highly responsible before 15, while others may still struggle with responsibility even as legal adults, he explained.
Although many schools offer their own internal Wi-Fi networks, Eduroam remains accessible in public spaces such as train stations and other educational institutions. Not all students have access to mobile data, Roettgers pointed out, meaning the loss of Eduroam can significantly affect their ability to connect.
The CNEL expressed disappointment that students were not consulted on the decision. They believe promoting equal opportunities in the digital sphere should be a priority – and that the new restrictions undermine that goal.
