Research from the Netherlands claims that a policy banning smartphones in schools is having the desired effect.
Under national guidelines introduced in January 2024, the vast majority of schools have found ways of removing the devices from the school day (whether using lockers or having pupils leave them at home). Exceptions are made in special needs learning centres where the devices are used to enhance curriculum delivery.
Based on a sample of 317 secondary school bosses, 313 primary schools, and 12 focus groups, Dr. Alexander Krepel of the Kohnstamm Instituut said that interactions between pupils had improved, with behind-the-scenes behavioural issues involving private messaging having been sharply reduced. In secondary schools, children reportedly found it easier to concentrate (75%), the social environment was better (59%), and even assessment results had improved (28%).
The results of the study into the results of the Dutch policy were published two years after the implementation of a similar approach was taken in Finnish schools.
