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Mobile phone ban.
From 1 January 2024, a new national rule applies: the mobile phone ban. Secondary school students may no longer use mobile phones in class. Tablets and smartwatches are also not allowed during lessons. From the 2024-2025 school year, children in primary school and in special education and special primary education may not use them either.
National rule
The mobile phone ban is a national rule and applies to all schools in the Netherlands, except for children with special needs. Schools must decide themselves if this ban also applies to the rest of the school building, and how they ensure students follow the new rules.
Agreements with teachers, students and parents must make sure everyone knows what is allowed and what is not. If the rules at school around the smartphone, smartwatch and tablet ban are unclear, ask the school management.
Bad for learning performance
Experts see that students can focus better on lessons without a mobile device in class. Research shows that apps on these devices, like social media and messaging apps, distract students and get in the way of contact between students.
Social contact
Smartphones in class also cause a worse atmosphere between students according to researchers. There would be more competition and students have less direct contact, which is bad for their social development. Important skills like standing up for yourself, seeing from another’s view and wanting to agree with others suffer. A smartphone ban also leads to less bullying according to one study.
Exceptions
The director of Ouders & Onderwijs, Lobke Vlaming, represented parents in 2024 at a roundtable talk on mobile phones in class in the House of Representatives. She supports a mandatory school policy with a ‘no unless’ approach: no use of mobile phones unless there are strong reasons to allow it. The politicians agreed. An exception can be made for students with special (health) needs. Talk to the school if this applies to your child.
Another exception for smartphone use in class is if the device is used for lessons, for example in a media literacy lesson.
If you have problems with the mobile phone ban, contact our advice point.
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