Mobile Phone Ban.

Mobile Phone Ban.

From January 1, 2024, high school students cannot use mobile phones in class. Tablets and smartwatches are also no longer allowed during lessons. From the 2024-2025 school year, children in primary school cannot use them either.

National Ban

The mobile phone ban applies to all schools in the Netherlands, except for children with special needs. Schools must decide for themselves if this ban also applies to the rest of the school building and how they make sure students follow the new rules.

New agreements with teachers, students and parents must make sure everyone knows what is allowed and not allowed. If the rules at school about the smartphone, smartwatch and tablet ban are not clear, ask the school management.

 

Bad For Learning

Experts see that students can focus better on lessons without a mobile device in the classroom. Research shows that apps on these devices, like social media and messaging apps, distract students and block contact between students. Children who already perform below average suffer most from the negative effects of mobile phones and other entertaining devices in class.

Social Contact

Smartphones in class also cause a worse mood between students, researchers say. There is more competition and students have less direct contact, which is bad for their social growth. Important skills like standing up for yourself, seeing others’ views and agreeing with each other suffer. According to a study, a smartphone ban also lowers bullying.

Exceptions

Ouders & Onderwijs director Lobke Vlaming joined a roundtable talk about mobile phones in class in the House of Representatives on behalf of parents. She supports a required school policy with a ‘no, unless approach’: No use of mobile phones, unless there are important reasons to allow it. Politics agreed. If your child goes to special education or has special (health) needs requiring a mobile phone in class, they have the right to it. Discuss this with the school director.

Another exception is if the device is used for lessons, like a media literacy class.

If you have problems with the mobile phone ban, please contact our advice point.