Has banning phones improved performance at Dutch schools? 4d ago

Two years after implementing a nationwide ban on smartphones in schools to reduce distractions and improve concentration, the Netherlands is seeing positive early results. This agreement, reached between the government, schools, parents, and teachers, has led to a calmer school environment, with teachers reporting less friction in class management and students feeling more present during breaks. A government study of 317 secondary schools indicated that approximately three-quarters observed better concentration, nearly two-thirds noted an improved social climate, and about a third reported better academic performance. Building on this, the Dutch government is now advocating for stricter social media restrictions for under-16s, proposing an EU-wide 15+ age limit for platforms like Instagram and TikTok, a move supported by a growing majority of Dutch children and teenagers.
















