From May, a nationwide ban on mobile phones, smartwatches, and other similar electronic devices will take effect in Austrian schools, according to a report by ORF.
The ban applies to all students up to the eighth grade, lasting throughout the entire school day and covering all school events. However, the government’s new regulation allows several exceptions, giving individual schools flexibility to adapt the policy.
Under the new rules, mobile devices will generally be off-limits throughout the school day - not just during lessons but also during breaks and school-related activities. Austria's Ministry of Education hopes this will encourage students to interact more face-to-face, improve concentration, and create healthier environments in schools.
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Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) explained the reasoning behind the nationwide regulation, stating that he wanted "to bring life back into the classroom during breaks, promote social skills and increase children's ability to concentrate," according to ORF.
Which exceptions are allowed?
Although the ban may sound strict, the ordinance explicitly allows flexibility. The school community - comprising student representatives, parents, and teachers - can agree on appropriate exceptions tailored to each school’s specific needs.
Teachers can allow mobile device use for educational purposes, such as digital learning activities, fact-checking, and online research.
Schools will also have the option to permit age-appropriate exceptions during extended school events or overnight activities, like sports weeks. In such situations, schools can schedule specific time slots allowing students to communicate with parents.
There are also explicit exceptions for medically justified cases - students who require mobile devices for health reasons are automatically permitted to use them.
Additionally, individual schools can set their own guidelines that permit phone use in certain areas or at specific times, for example, during lunch breaks or in designated recreational zones. According to ORF, from the ninth grade onwards, schools have the possibility to set specific rules for individual classes or even particular groups of students.
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Consequences for rule-breaking
The ordinance outlines clear consequences for students who breach the mobile phone ban.
Teachers are authorised to confiscate mobile devices from students caught using them in prohibited times. Typically, confiscated devices will be returned at the end of the school day.
However, in cases of repeated offences or problematic content, schools can require that only parents or guardians collect the mobile devices.
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