Has Banning Phones Improved Performance At Dutch Schools?

Anna HolliganAmsterdam


Two years back, Dutch schools prohibited mobile phones to decrease diversions, boost student concentration, and encourage better scholastic efficiency. Since then, mobile phones, smartwatches and tablets have actually been from classrooms, passages and canteens in schools across the Netherlands.


Now the Dutch federal government wishes to go further, pressing to limit social networks for under-16s and requiring an EU-wide 15+ age limit for apps like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.


At Amsterdam's Cygnus Gymnasium school, a fluorescent yellow sign on the school gates warns students streaming in on their bikes: "Attention: from this point on, your phone needs to remain in your locker. Thank you."


The catchy (in Dutch a minimum of) slogan - "Telefoon t'huis of in de kluis" (Phone at home or in the locker) - now uses across the country.


Instead of passing a law, the government selected a nationwide agreement with schools, moms and dads and instructors, arguing this would secure buy-in and generate the rules quickly without a prolonged legislative fight.


In the school passage, outside an English classroom embellished with art work portraying numerous Shakespeare plays, buddies Hanna and Fena confide they have blended feelings about the ban.


"Since the restriction we have to look out for the instructors, so they don't take the phones," they say. "I think it's annoying however not like it's violating our rights or something like that.


"Maybe now we are a bit more in the moment. In the break nobody is truly on their phones."


Their instructor, Ida Peters, notices the difference too. "As a teacher you're constantly attempting to get kids' attention. It's always a challenge to get that focus in class, and now their phones are less present, that definitely helps."


Smartphones are not suggested to be out in UK classrooms either, but without any national rules on where they must be the rest of the day, schools and instructors are delegated improvise.


In the Netherlands, the nationwide contract means the onus is off the teachers. Ms Peters feels this Dutch technique has actually freed staff. "There's less friction in class management," she states.


"In the corridors there used to be a great deal of checking the phone; now it's more unwinded, a calmer environment, not too concerned about anything else going on."


Phones aren't allowed at breaks or school celebrations either, Ms Peters adds, so students don't stress that they might be photographed and put up on Snapchat or Instagram. "And when kids are more unwinded, their knowing results improve."


Early information backs up her impressions.


A government-commissioned study of 317 secondary schools discovered that about three-quarters reported better concentration considering that phones were prohibited.


Almost two-thirds stated the social climate had improved, and around a third saw much better academic efficiency. Other surveys suggest less bullying when gadgets are taken out of the school day.


Fifteen-year-old Felix and Karel, in the basic uniform of extra-large hoodies and jeans, invest in between 2 and 5 hours a day on social networks.


Karel keeps his phone charging next to his bed and checks messages as quickly as he wakes up; Felix waits up until after breakfast.


"When I initially heard the news, I believed, 'I wish to switch schools since this isn't what I came here for,'" one of them confesses. "But I haven't actually felt a downside of it. If it happens in the UK, I believe it will have a favorable effect on the students."


In the Netherlands, the argument has actually already moved onto social networks.


The Dutch government formally advises that children under 15 need to remain off social networks, and the new federal government union wants a Europe-wide, enforceable 15+ minimum age backed by age-verification. They argue that if states can limit alcohol or betting, they need to also act when platforms are designed to be addicting.


The 3 celebrations in government hold only 66 of 150 seats in parliament, so they require support from others, and any binding rule on children accessing social networks would need to be worked out at EU level. But public viewpoint appears to be moving in their favour.


A Unicef survey of more than 1,000 Dutch kids and teenagers found that 69% favoured a social media restriction for under-18s.


In the exact same study, 28% stated platforms need to be off-limits for under-12s altogether, arguing that younger children must "still be playing outside instead of on their phones" and explaining social networks as addicting, hazardous and bad for their mental health.


A yearly social networks survey by research company Newcom found that 60% of 16-to-28-year-olds back an age limit, up from 44% a year ago.


This challenges the concept that young individuals are desperate to be permanently online.


Former education minister Koen Becking points to "growing evidence" that heavy social networks use is bad for mental health and social interaction, stating Dutch data show kids are more distracted and more anxious when they have access to devices.


Back at Cygnus school, Karel states he would be "a little ravaged" if a social media restriction was implemented.


"I'm a bit addicted, I'm scrolling on TikTok as quickly as I get up or examining messages from pals."


But classmate Felix is more relaxed: "You 'd get used to it and find other things to do, so I do not think I would truly mind."


At the same time, the Dutch Research Council is now taking a look at the unintentional effects of the smart device restriction, and whether being without a phone throughout the day increases fear of missing out and sets off more intensive phone use after school.


The students all insist they are not bingeing more before and after school. But Felix confides that while lots of trainees still keep phones in their pockets - so long as instructors do not see - he believes keeping the screens out of sight has actually made them more present.


"People are talking more, going to the stores instead of just sitting in the cafeteria on their phones," he says. "We hang out more; social connections have enhanced."


For Dutch kids, scrolling on smartphones is no longer a part of school life. The next question for the Netherlands, and maybe, quickly, for the UK, is whether access to the social networks apps ought to be consigned to history too.