Elementary school Emmen sets the end of the smartphone era: why now?

Elementary school Emmen sets the end of the smartphone era: why now?

The elementary school Emmen in Switzerland will introduce a general ban on smartphones and smartwatches on the entire school premises from the school year 2025/26. This innovative step aims to promote social interaction, concentration in class and the emotional health of the students. According to nau.ch, the ban applies both during the lessons and during the breaks and comprises all school levels, from kindergarten to secondary level i.

The decision is based on the results of surveys among the Swiss population, where impressive 81% support a general ban on cell phones in schools. In addition, 80% of the respondents are for a ban on social media for children under the age of 16. It is becoming increasingly clear that the most common risks in digital space such as cyberbullying, cyber grooming and excessive screen time have to be taken seriously.

background and effects

In a current report by smartphonebot.de, it is shown that in spring 2025 in politics there is a discussion about legal smartphone bans in schools. The first federal states have already started initiatives in this direction. This shows that digitization at educational institutions is an uncertain topic that is controversial in both the political and pedagogical discussion.

A pilot project at the Gersag secondary school, which was carried out in the school year 2024/25, has achieved positive results, which ultimately led to the expansion of the ban to all school levels in Emmen. There are also numerous countries that have implemented similar regulations in an international context, often based on UNESCO recommendations.

pedagogical challenges

Despite the positive approaches in Emmen, the platform smartphonebot.de criticizes the flat -rate approach of prohibitions and appeals to politics and education to understand digitization as a pedagogical challenge. Seven pedagogical impulses are formulated to stimulate a differentiated examination of the topic:

• importance of active learners and the digital living environment of young people.
• challenge to promote digital skills for all young people.
• Necessity of exchange and common solutions with young people.
• school as a space for negotiations and common rules.
• Use of the potential of smartphones for research and creativity.
• Promotion of safe online rooms for self-determination.
• Need for a clever handling of digital technologies.

These aspects make it clear that a flat -rate ban does not solve all the challenges, but could shift the problems into private space. Responsible handling of smartphones must therefore be actively learned and reflected.

Overall, the procedure of the Emmen elementary school shows a remarkable trend that could possibly also encourage other schools and educational institutions to take similar measures to protect the children in the digital age and to promote their development.