Starting on March 4, 2026 with 116 students
On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, after the long break, the participants will switch off their mobile phones together in the stands by the sports field, thus sending a strong message of mindfulness, concentration and personal encounters.
Participation is voluntary and uncontrolled – driven by the shared idea of consciously and attentively shaping everyday school life.
Joint start of the mobile phone fast on March 4, 2026
First experiences with mobile phone fasting 11.3.2026
In the middle of a mobile phone fast, March 18, 2026
Turn mobile phone back on - March 24, 2026
Three weeks without a smartphone – thoughts on the end of a successful experiment at our school
On Tuesday, March 24th, the day finally arrived: After three weeks of smartphone abstinence, the mobile phones were reactivated at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein school. A total of 116 students participated in this special experiment – and around 50 percent actually made it to the end . A remarkable result!
The three weeks without a smartphone offered many a new and unusual experience. It quickly became clear that a life without a mobile phone is indeed possible. At the same time, however, it also became evident how heavily our everyday lives are now shaped by digital offerings. Much information and services are now almost exclusively available online, which sometimes made doing without them in daily life more difficult.
Nevertheless, the positive experiences outweighed the negative. Many participants reported that it felt good to read a newspaper in print again or to consciously take time for other activities. It was particularly noticeable that interpersonal encounters were perceived more intensely. Conversations, shared activities, and outings were experienced and enjoyed more consciously.
The project also led to valuable reflections at the school. Not only the participants themselves, but also many other students examined their own smartphone use during the preparation phase. This sparked an important discussion about the role smartphones play in everyday school life and how their use could be sensibly regulated in the future.
The conclusion after three weeks is clearly positive: the experiment was a success. It has shown that a more conscious approach to digital media is both possible and beneficial. Therefore, a continuation of the project in the coming years is already being considered.
While the smartphone remains an integral part of our lives, sometimes it's good to consciously put it aside.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported this project.
Team
