Smartphone ban at school resulted in more socialization, fewer distractions: researchers

The Netherlands letting schools ban smartphones resulted in more socialization between students, less distraction, and less bullying, Radboud University Nijmgegen found in the first study into the tightened phone policy that took effect on January 1. On the other hand, students report encountering multiple practical problems now that they no longer have their phones on hand, the Volkskrant reports.

The Radboud University researchers surveyed about a thousand school students before the ban and three months afterward. Over half said that they now speak to friends and classmates more. Forty percent said that breaks are now more enjoyable. “When the policy wasn’t in place yet, everyone was on a screen, and there was hardly any talking,” one student said.

21 percent said that they are now less distracted during class. “Lower than I expected,” research leader Loes Pouwels said, but still a notable effect. “A possible explanation is that students now find distractions just as easily on their laptops.”

Students also reported less bullying behavior, Pouwels said. “Making it mandatory to put away your phone is a relatively small measure for teachers and apparently has a significant effect.”

On the downside of the ban is several practical problems. Students complain that they can’t check schedule changes and are less accessible to their parents.

Pouwels also noted that isolated or less socially skilled students feel even more excluded now that they can’t retreat to their phones. Pouwels thinks teachers and mentors could help these students connect to their peers.