As of this academic year (2024/2025), the Dutch government came to an agreement with Dutch representatives of education organisations, teachers, parents, and pupils to ban all mobile phones in the classroom at all school levels. As a measure intended to reduce distractions, improve focus, and diminish phone-dependency while learning, it also yields enticing results for social contacts amongst pupils.

Research has repeatedly demonstrated that the use of mobile phones in the classroom affects important factors such as concentration and attention during class, ultimately negatively influencing the learning process and achievements of pupils. Additionally, the use of mobile phones in the classroom negatively influences social interaction with peer pupils and teachers. 

Consequently, the ban on mobile phones in the classroom was first introduced in January 2024 for secondary education, and it was extended to include primary education as of the 2024/2025 school year. The ban aims to encourage discussions and social interactions while addressing cyberbullying, making the school a safer place for students.

Importantly, this measure has come into existence following extensive discussion between Dutch representatives of education organisations, teachers, parents, and pupils, under the supervision and counsel of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. While the measure is government promoted, it is up to the individual education institutions to provide concrete rules and to determine what the policy will look like in practice. 

To provide further guidance, the government refers to reports published by Kennisnet, which detail the policy’s background and provide recommendations for  measures schools should implement to enforce the ban. Although the ban applies to all students, exceptions will be made for educational use of mobile devices and for students with specific (medical) well-being needs. 

Some schools have made the decision to ban mobile phones during school time altogether. This entails that even during lunch breaks, phones are not allowed. To remedy boredom, in some instances board games have been put out and interaction between pupils has been stimulated through ‘conversation cards’. 

Expectedly, there was initially some resistance from pupils, likely due to the fact that phones have become ingrained in their routines. However, it seems that after getting used to the new measure, most pupils reflect on it positively. Any conclusions on concrete effects of the prohibition on mobile phones in the class will likely have to wait a while, as the current academic year is the first during which the ban is in full effect. However, initial responses are surely promising. 

The ministry of Education, Culture and Sciences continues to monitor the effects of the national agreement. In the summer of 2025, the ministry will review with all stakeholders for primary, secondary and specialised education whether additional measures are needed, such as a legal ban, or if the agreement suffices as is.

Source: Eurydice Unit Netherlands