Austria Bans Mobile Phones in Schools

Austria is imposing a nationwide ban on the use of mobile phones in schools for grades one through eight, with the new regulation set to take effect on May 1. This was announced to reporters by the country's new Minister of Education Christoph Wiederkehr from the NEOS party.

“The mobile phone ban will come into effect on May 1 and will apply during classes and breaks for students up to the eighth grade,” Wiederkehr stated. He further elaborated that this will affect primary, secondary, and special schools as well as sports halls. At the same time, he noted that schools may make exceptions, for instance, in cases where mobile phone use is necessary for educational purposes.