Has Banning Phones Improved Performance At Dutch Schools?

Anna HolliganAmsterdam


Two years ago, Dutch schools prohibited smartphones to decrease distractions, improve student concentration, and encourage much better academic efficiency. Ever since, mobile phones, smartwatches and tablets have actually been exiled from classrooms, corridors and canteens in schools across the Netherlands.


Now the Dutch government desires to go even more, pushing to restrict social media for under-16s and requiring an EU-wide 15+ age limitation for apps like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.


At Amsterdam's Cygnus Gymnasium school, a fluorescent yellow indication on the school gates alerts pupils streaming in on their bikes: "Attention: from this point on, your phone must be in your locker. Thank you."


The memorable (in Dutch a minimum of) motto - "Telefoon t'huis of in de kluis" (Phone in your home or in the locker) - now applies across the country.


Instead of passing a law, the federal government went with a national contract with schools, moms and dads and teachers, arguing this would protect buy-in and bring in the guidelines rapidly without a prolonged legislative fight.


In the school corridor, outside an English class decorated with art work depicting different Shakespeare plays, friends Hanna and Fena confide they have actually about the ban.


"Since the restriction we have to view out for the teachers, so they do not take the phones," they state. "I believe it's bothersome however not like it's violating our rights or something like that.


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


Their instructor, Ida Peters, notices the difference too. "As an instructor you're constantly trying to get kids' attention. It's constantly a difficulty to get that focus in class, and now their phones are less present, that certainly assists."


Smartphones are not implied to be out in UK class either, however with no national rules on where they should be the remainder of the day, schools and instructors are left to improvise.


In the Netherlands, the across the country arrangement indicates the onus is off the instructors. Ms Peters feels this Dutch approach has actually freed personnel. "There's less friction in class management," she states.


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


Phones aren't allowed at breaks or school parties either, Ms Peters includes, so pupils don't stress that they may be photographed and set up on Snapchat or Instagram. "And when kids are more unwinded, their knowing outcomes enhance."


Early data supports her impressions.


A government-commissioned research study of 317 secondary schools found that about three-quarters reported much better concentration since phones were banned.


Almost two-thirds said the social environment had actually enhanced, and around a 3rd saw much better scholastic performance. Other studies recommend less bullying when devices are secured of the school day.


Fifteen-year-old Felix and Karel, in the standard uniform of large hoodies and denims, spend between two and five hours a day on social media.


Karel keeps his phone charging beside his bed and checks messages as soon as he gets up; Felix waits until after breakfast.


"When I first heard the news, I believed, 'I want to change schools due to the fact that this isn't what I came here for,'" among them confesses. "But I have not truly felt a drawback of it. If it occurs in the UK, I think it will have a positive influence on the students."


In the Netherlands, the dispute has actually already moved onto social media.


The Dutch government officially encourages that children under 15 ought to stay off social media, and the brand-new government union desires a Europe-wide, enforceable 15+ minimum age backed by age-verification. They argue that if states can restrict alcohol or gaming, they need to also act when platforms are designed to be addictive.


The 3 parties in government hold only 66 of 150 seats in parliament, so they require support from others, and any binding guideline on children accessing social media would have to be negotiated at EU level. But public viewpoint appears to be shifting in their favour.


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


In the same study, 28% stated platforms should be off-limits for under-12s completely, arguing that more youthful kids must "still be playing outside rather of on their phones" and explaining social media as addictive, hazardous and bad for their mental health.


An annual social media study by research study firm Newcom discovered that 60% of 16-to-28-year-olds back an age limit, up from 44% a year ago.


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


Former education minister Koen Becking indicates "growing proof" that heavy social networks usage is bad for psychological health and social interaction, stating Dutch information show kids are more distracted and more anxious when they have access to gadgets.


Back at Cygnus school, Karel says he would be "a little devastated" if a social networks ban was imposed.


"I'm a bit addicted, I'm scrolling on TikTok as quickly as I wake up or examining messages from good friends."


But classmate Felix is more relaxed: "You 'd get utilized to it and discover other things to do, so I don't think I would actually mind."


At the exact same time, the Dutch Research Council is now analyzing the unintentional consequences of the smart device restriction, and whether being without a phone throughout the day increases fear of losing out and triggers more intensive phone usage after school.


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


"People are talking more, going to the shops instead of simply sitting in the lunchroom on their phones," he states. "We socialise more; social connections have enhanced."


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