Smartphone addiction is a major problem in our society. Many of us are constantly checking our phones, even when we should be focusing on other things. This is especially true for children and teenagers, who are often more interested in their phones than their schoolwork. The Dutch government is taking steps to address this problem. Starting in January 2024, smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches will be largely banned from classrooms in the Netherlands. This is a positive step that will help students focus on their studies and learn more effectively.
Dutch Government Takes Steps to Protect Students from Smartphones
The Dutch government has announced that smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches will be largely banned from classrooms in the Netherlands from January 1, 2024. The ban is the result of an agreement between the ministry, schools, and related organizations. Education minister Robbert Dijkgraaf said in a statement that the ban is necessary to protect students from distractions and to help them focus on their studies. “Mobile phones are a disturbance, scientific research shows,” he said. “We need to protect students against this.”
The ban will only apply to smartphones that are not specifically needed for lessons. For example, smartphones can still be used for lessons on digital skills, or by students with medical conditions or disabilities. Schools will be responsible for enforcing the ban. However, if the ban does not yield enough results by the summer of 2024, legal rules will follow.
The rule banning phones in Dutch schools may be new, but it’s already common in many other parts of the world. When I was in high school, phones were also prohibited where I lived. And since then, the use of phones and social media has only increased. According to Common Sense Media, the average teenager now spends about 7 hours and 22 minutes on their phone every day. That includes time spent on social media, texting, gaming, watching videos, and using apps. The CDC recommends that children and adolescents aged 5-17 limit their screen time to 2 hours per day.
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