1. What does “smartphone-free” mean?

“Smartphone-free” means that pupils' private smartphones and smartwatches (digital end devices) are securely stored in a smartphone garage throughout the school day. However, they can still be used for teaching purposes. 
Digital learning tools (tablets, etc.) are explicitly desired and are encouraged by our approach. The “smartphone-free school” builds the skills of the 21st century through good, low-conflict, analog and digital-inclusive teaching.
 

2. Why should schools become “smartphone-free”? 

Vandalism damage caused by TikTok challenges, cyberbullying due to photos taken illegally in class, secret videos in school toilets and their distribution along with resource-intensive disciplinary conferences, the “FOMO” (fear of missing out) of students missing messages on Snapchat or Whatsapp while sitting in class. Added to this is the distraction caused by mobile games, which not only disrupt concentration in class, but can also lead to excessive gaming behavior and social withdrawal - these are just numerous examples of why there has recently been a lot of talk about rethinking the use of digital devices in schools.
Studies such as that conducted by the London School of Economics have long shown that schools that ban smartphones see significant increases in pupil performance. In this study, it was found that students who learn without smartphones not only achieve better grades, but also show increased participation in class. The researchers found that the absence of distractions from cell phones leads to deeper engagement with learning content, which has a positive effect on learning and social interaction. 
About the study: BELAND AND MURPHY (2015): Ill Communication: Technology, Distraction & Student Performance
To the UNESCO report: Global Education Monitoring Report 2023 
The study by Sara Abrahamsson (Norwegian School of Economics) shows that smartphone bans in schools lead to significant improvements in students' academic performance.Students who study in a smartphone-free environment achieve better grades and show less distraction. The study also documents a positive impact on mental health, with less stress and signs of anxiety.In addition, social behavior is reported to be improved as bullying and conflict decrease.These results underline the benefits of reduced smartphone use in education.To the study: ABRAHAMSSON (2024) Smartphone Bans, Student Outcomes and Mental Health

3. What are the advantages of a “smartphone-free school”? 

• Reduced distraction - teachers report improved concentration, attention and understanding, leading to better skills and grades.
• Less cyberbullying - students can feel safe and free without fear of being secretly filmed or photographed. 
• Fewer social media related conflicts - School administrators report spending significantly less time on disciplinary actions.
• Increased engagement - Students are more engaged with their peers and teachers, both inside and outside the classroom.  
• More lively breaks - In smartphone-free schools, the lunch break is much livelier because the student body is talking and interacting face-to-face. 
• More reading - Smartphone-free schools report an increase in the number of books borrowed from their libraries. 
• Increased efficiency - Teachers report that they can focus on their core business of teaching again and no longer have to play “cell phone police” when supervising. 
• Less absenteeism and disruption during lessons - pupils use the toilet less often because they can no longer use their cell phones there.
• Less cheating - a major opportunity for cheating is eliminated.
• Improved teacher morale and safety - the risk of cyberbullying against teachers is eliminated.
• Less mental stress - School counselors are seeing a decrease in the number of visits from students for mental health issues.

4. what is needed to implement the “smartphone-free school” concept? 

It is best if the entire school community decides to introduce this concept via the school conference. In order to achieve this, we provide specific assistance in our guidelines.
In addition, every classroom and specialist room (chemistry, sports hall, etc.) needs a smartphone garage (L&L SmartBox). Each teacher and non-teaching staff will receive a keyfob or chip card that can be used to open and close each SmartBox. In addition, minimal service equipment is required in the event of loss, damage or expansion of the authorization system. 

5. Why should schools buy the L&L SmartBox and not another smartphone garage? 

We at Lock&Learn are teachers. We know the needs of everyday school life and have therefore designed an optimal product. It is made in Germany with high-quality locking technology from Gantner. We therefore stand for a durable and sustainable product. 
In addition, the SmartBox is integrated into an educational concept. Pure prohibition is no added value - it is about the structured development of media skills through controllable digital end devices with high-quality content for media education! You get access to attractive special conditions in the field of media education and media management through our partners. 
Even a very inexpensive solution of an open box with individual compartments that is placed on the desk has not proved successful. Every teacher has to spend time every lesson collecting and handing them out.The devices are still easily available and can be distracting through visual contact.In addition, all studies show that it is also pedagogically useful to store them during breaks.Consequently, an open box solution would have a huge security gap as it is not secured.Also, don't make the mistake that some of our interviewees did and buy inferior smartphone garages from large online retailers or alternatives that are clearly made from components from China.This showed that the quality and after-sales service were inadequate.Our interlocutors regretted this and reported very positively about our product and its quality. 

6. What is the legal basis for the “smartphone-free school”? 

The school must expand its school/house rules and establish the concept in the form of a voluntary commitment via an addendum. In our implementation guide, we provide assistance in formulating this extension to the house rules, which we call the “Smartphone-free school” set of rules. In our full version of the implementation guide, the rules are legally checked and pre-formulated.

7. What is the course of a school day at a “smartphone-free school”? 

At the start of the first lesson, digital devices (smartphones, smartwatches) are placed in the SmartBox in the classroom by the pupils themselves. This is then locked by the teacher and not opened again for the duration of the school day. However, the devices can be handed out by teachers for classroom use at any time, but must be locked up again. At the end of the school day, the devices will be returned to the students. 
It is recommended to make a small procedural difference between lower and upper secondary level in order to take into account the greater personal responsibility of the upper secondary level. Details can be found in the Lock&Learn guidelines. 
 

8. Is the concept itself not a collective punishment and patronizes pupils? 

The digital end devices are not banned, they are only temporarily withdrawn from uncontrolled use. They can be issued and used by the teacher at any time during lessons. For example, to implement the media education offers of our partner Eddilake. However, the best way to build up urgently needed digital media skills is to use the school's own controllable tablets - and we are happy to help! 

9. Isn't it better to teach children how to use smartphones responsibly instead of taking them away? 

Brain research and psychiatric experts argue that the adolescent brain is unable to cope with the addictive pull of smartphones and social media. The social media platforms and games that young people spend a lot of time on are deliberately designed to be addictive. 
In addition, our concept aims to dedicate part of the lesson to the responsible use of smartphones and digital media as a whole. 
Furthermore, by locking them away and thus creating a mobile-free zone, pupils should also learn that a smartphone is just a tool and should also be used at certain times and in certain ways, rather than being something that is switched on around the clock and used constantly. 

10. How can I contact my child and my child can contact me if they are not allowed to have their smartphone with them? 

The secretary's office has a working telephone at all schools. In addition, pupils can be called by loudspeaker announcement.

11. What if my child urgently needs their smartphone in an emergency? 

Your child is always in the same room as the smartphone garage, where your child's smartphone is safely stored. This means that the teacher can open the SmartBox and hand out the devices in an emergency.
 

12. What if my child has an illness that needs to be monitored via cell phone? 

In cases of use for medical purposes, the “smartphone-free school” provides for exceptions. These must be applied for and recorded in writing. 

13. Doesn't the approach create extra work and waste valuable teaching time by collecting and handing out digital devices? 

Yes, it takes some time to get used to the process of inserting and removing them from the SmartBox, but the added value for the concentration of the individual pupils and the classroom and school atmosphere is much greater than giving up two minutes at the beginning and end of the first and last lesson. 

14. Who has access to the Lock&Learn SmartBox? 

The school management decides how many authorizations are programmed per SmartBox. As a rule, each teacher, the secretary's office, the school management and the janitor have access authorization via keyfob/chip card. Each locking of the SmartBox is saved and can therefore be tracked. This creates the greatest possible transparency. 

15. My school wants to become “smartphone-free”. What do we need to do? 

Visit www.lockandlearn.de 
Find out more about our approach and our products and contact us using the contact form. We will then get back to you by email. 
Important: Unfortunately, our replies often end up in the spam folder due to school filters - please check this if you are waiting for a reply. Thank you very much!