A study commissioned by the Dutch government shows that the prohibition of mobile phones in schools has improved the learning process.
The national orientations were introduced at the beginning of 2024, and they recommended the prohibition of smartphones in the classrooms. Since that moment, almost all schools have complied. Currently, almost two -thirds of secondary schools ask students to leave their phones at home or put them in cabinets, writes
317 Secondary school principals and 313 primary schools participated in the study. Secondary schools reported that children are easier to concentrate (75%), that the social environment is better (59%), and some have stated that the results have improved (28%).
The biggest improvement was registered in the case of interactions between students, according to Dr. Alexander Krepel, a researcher at Kohstamm institut.
“Especially in the breaks between the lessons, the students were sitting on the phones, and now they are forced to speak … Maybe they quarrel a little more often, but the schools, teachers and students are quite satisfied that the atmosphere is better,” Krepel said.
Initially, some parents, students and teachers have expressed their dissatisfaction regarding the implementation of this measure. “Now you see that, in fact, everyone is quite satisfied,” Freya Sixma, spokesman for the Council for Secondary Education Vo-Raad said, which represents the schools and board of directors.
96% of children in the Netherlands connect online almost every day, mainly through phones. Last month the interim government advised parents to ban social networks for children under 15 and limit the time spent in front of the screen
