Cyberbullying and digital sexual harassment among young people are increasing in Switzerland. A radical approach to counteract the phenomenon is a complete cell phone ban for schoolchildren. But that is not possible in Switzerland, says the central president of the umbrella organization of Swiss teachers.
SRF News: What effect do mobile phones and social media have on Swiss schoolchildren?
Dagmar Rösler: We know from the ZHAW James study that young people spend three to five hours a day on their smartphones or on the Internet in their free time. It is all the more important that the devices are not also used in school.
A complete cell phone ban at a boarding school in the USA has shown that this has a very positive effect on the psyche of young people. Could this also be an approach for Swiss schools??
It would be a bit difficult to do that in elementary school – the young people go home after school, not like at boarding school. A complete ban on mobile phones in Switzerland is therefore not feasible. It is important that the mobile phone is used in a targeted manner.
Conscious handling of mobile phones is good for children and young people.
A study has shown, for example, that children and young people in camps show clear signs of mental health strengthening – because they often do without their cell phones there. This shows that using cell phones consciously is good for children and young people.
After all, would a general ban on mobile phones in schools in Switzerland be conceivable?
This is already the case in many schools, especially at primary level. In most cases, the absolute ban is then relaxed somewhat from secondary school onwards – in the sense that the device can be brought to school, but remains locked away during class.
Teachers are allowed to confiscate cell phones if they break the rules, but they have to return them at the end of the lesson.
There are guidelines from the canton, which each school implements itself. Teachers are now also allowed to confiscate mobile phones if they break the rules, but they have to give them back at the end of the lesson.
What are schools doing to raise students’ awareness of the digital space?
The school has the task of informing the children and young people how to use the devices, what they can and must not do – such as uploading photos in non-private digital rooms. It is intended to teach the children good, constructive handling of technical equipment.
The new James study shows that digital sexual harassment among young people is on the rise. So is raising awareness in schools not enough?
The school does what is in its power. Many children and young people know what they have to do in the digital space. Unfortunately, not everyone follows the rules and they are probably too little aware of their actions.
Parents need to know what their children are doing online.
That’s why you have to point this out again and again – as is well known, constant dripping wears away the stone. Parents also have a great deal of responsibility: they have to know what their children are doing online.
According to the study, cyberbullying is also on the rise. What are the teachers doing about it?
You keep talking to the young people about how you behave towards others, what you can trigger in others when you slander, insult or threaten them. It is also important that those who are threatened or abused report this to teachers, parents or school social workers. They must state clearly what is happening to them so that adults can help them.
Silvia Staub conducted the interview.