Netherlands to Ban Mobiles From January 2024
Mobile phones and other devices including tablets and smartwatches will largely be banned from classrooms in the Netherlands from 1st January 2024.
The Netherlands Government has announced that starting from 1st January 2024, mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches and other devices will not be allowed in classrooms. Netherlands Education Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf said, “Mobile phones, tablets, laptops and other devices are a very important part of our lives. Yes. However, research shows that if children use them a lot, it distracts them from studies and they can not focus. If you limit a child’s use of technology then they focus better. This is why we need to protect our children from such devices during school time. We want to encourage children to be completely focused during their lectures so that they learn and develop. This is why we have banned the use of such devices in school.”
However, there will be some exceptions. Such devices will be allowed to be used for students with medical needs or disabilities and for classes that are focused on digital skills. The ban is not legally enforceable but may become so in the future. The Dutch government said that it would be up to individual schools to agree and frame the exact rules with teachers, parents, and students. They can also decide whether they want to completely ban those devices from schools. A similar ban was introduced in France in 2018 for primary and middle schools to improve focus and prevent online bullying. UK schools have also suggested that such a ban could be introduced. Schools are currently left to establish their own policies and the government said further intervention wasn't needed.
