A ban on cell phones was recently announced in Greek schools. Starting Monday, the use of mobile phones during studies has also been banned in all Dutch schools. While cell phones have been forbidden in secondary schools since the beginning of the year, the ban will now also apply to primary schools with the start of the new school year. The Ministry of Culture in The Hague justified the move by saying that cell phones distract students and reduce their ability to concentrate, which has a negative impact on learning performance.
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However, cell phones can continue to be used in classrooms if they are necessary for the content of the lesson, for example when it comes to media literacy. Students are also allowed to use cell phones if they need it due to medical reasons or a disability. Schools can work on the practical implementation of a cell phone ban at the local level.
Banning cell phones during breaks also has a positive effect
Broadcaster NOS reported that the atmosphere improved in schools that also banned cell phones during breaks. “Breaks are more sociable because students talk to each other more often,” said researcher Loes Pauwels of Radboud University in Nijmegen.
The ban on cell phones in schools in the Netherlands has been controversial before. The broadcaster reported that various education ministers initially did not believe in central nationwide regulation and school management also advocated local rules. Also, many parents advocated that children of primary school age should not have smartphones at all, precisely because of the addictive potential of social media.
Like the Netherlands, Greece and Italy, Germany has also banned cell phones in classrooms, a move that has been long discussed. According to a study, the OECD, an organization of industrialized countries, recently recommended responsible use of cell phones in school lessons.
(Mac)
