In recent years, there has been a growing trend in Europe to ban mobile phones in schools. According to a report in The Guardian, more and more educational institutions on the continent are joining the initiative, which started in the Netherlands.
Calvijn College in the Netherlands became the first school in Europe to ban mobile phones. This initiative was introduced almost four years ago. Since then, the example of Calvijn College has been followed by numerous educational institutions in the Netherlands, France and Belgium.
Hungary even passed a separate law that requires phones and smart devices to be handed in at the start of the school day. Italy and Greece allow phones to be carried, but prohibit their use during lessons.
Calvijn College reports that giving up phones has a positive impact on learning and social interaction. "Basically, what we lost, we got back. Students play with each other and communicate with each other. And the breaks between lessons have become less chaotic," the educational institution notes.
According to the results of a survey among students, about 40% of them said after a few months that giving up their phones allowed them to enjoy their breaks better. However, 37% of students admitted that they miss their phones.
