German minister backs mobile phone ban at primary school

"The body of research is becoming increasingly clear: excessive screen time leads to poorer academic performance, reduced social skills and mental health problems," the conservative politician told the newspapers of the Funke Media Group, in remarks seen by dpa.

"We need to address this very quickly and very intensively," Prien added.

In Germany, the country's federal states are responsible for issues relating to education, including the handling of mobile phones in schools. Prien, who was previously the education minister of the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein has clear views, however.

"Private mobile phone use should be banned in primary schools. In secondary schools, age-appropriate rules should be established wherever possible," she said.

The issue is currently being examined in Germany at state level. Berlin will support the process by providing the scientific basis, Prien added.

"From my experience, it is about largely, but age-appropriately, banning private mobile phone use in schools," she said. Experience showed that schools and most parents are grateful for clear, uniform guidelines.

Earlier in the week, EU youth and education ministers considered a range of measures to curb the risks to young people from excessive smartphone use.