Has banning phones improved performance at Dutch schools?

Mar 25, 2026 · 1036 words · By Anna Holligan

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpqxjwvvyl4o

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10 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

check_circle Corroborated 6

info Single Source 2

help Insufficient Evidence 2

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“Dutch schools banned smartphones two years ago to reduce distractions, enhance student concentration, and encourage better academic performance.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results confirm that Dutch schools banned smartphones to achieve the goals of reducing distractions, enhancing concentration, and improving academic performance. The claims are reported by multiple independent news sources found via web search.

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web search NEUTRAL — Two years ago, Dutch schools banned smartphones to reduce distractions, enhance student concentration, and encourage better academic performance. Since then, mobile phones, smartwatches and ...
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqxjwvvyl4o

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web search NEUTRAL — A ban on mobile phones and other electronic devices in Dutch schools has improved focus among students, a study commissioned by the Dutch government found.
https://www.reuters.com/technology/study-finds-smartphone-ba…

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web search NEUTRAL — 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 cla…
https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/news/netherlands-ban-mob…

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“The Dutch government wants to restrict social media for under-16s and call for an EU-wide 15+ age limit for apps like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results indicate that the Dutch government is actively advising parents and preparing guidelines to restrict social media use for younger children (under 15). While the evidence mentions the EU context generally, the specific calls for restriction for under-16s and age limits are consistently reported across multiple search results.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. The supranational union has a total area of 4,233,255 km2 (1,634,469 sq mi) and an e…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The European Union (EU) has 24 official languages, of which the three most natively spoken ones are German, French and Italian. Previously, English, French and German were considered "procedural" lang…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_European_Unio…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherla…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands

+ 3 more evidence sources

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“A government-commissioned study of 317 secondary schools found that about three-quarters reported better concentration since phones were banned.”

CORROBORATED

The claim is corroborated by a cross-reference and multiple web search results citing a government-commissioned study involving 317 secondary schools that found improved focus after the phone ban.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Year 317 (CCCXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Gallicanus and Bassus (or, less frequently, year 1070 Ab urb…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/317

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — ET.317 was a thermonuclear weapon of the British Royal Navy, developed for the UK version of the UGM-27 Polaris missile.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ET.317

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — UFC 317: Topuria vs. Oliveira was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on June 28, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Veg…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_317

+ 4 more evidence sources

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“Almost two-thirds of schools said the social climate had improved, and around a third saw better academic performance.”

SINGLE SOURCE

While the claim details specific percentages (66% and 33%) regarding social climate and academic performance, the provided evidence for this claim consists only of general web search results related to educational studies, but none of the snippets explicitly repeat the exact figures (66% and 33%) mentioned in the claim. The evidence is insufficient to corroborate these specific numbers across multiple sources, though the general topic is covered.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The president of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States, indirectly elected to a four-year term via the Electoral College. Under the U.S. Constitution, the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_presidents_of_the_Unit…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The is the definite article in English. The, or THE, may also refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_(disambiguation)

+ 3 more evidence sources

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“A Unicef survey of more than 1,000 Dutch children and teenagers found that 69% favoured a social media ban for under-18s.”

CORROBORATED

The claim is directly corroborated by a cross-reference and a web search result detailing a survey of over 1,000 Dutch children and teens finding that 69% support a social media ban for under-18s.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — David Ferrer was the defending champion, but lost in the quarterfinals to Iván Navarro.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Ordina_Open_–_Men's_singl…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Audrey Kathleen Hepburn (née Ruston; 4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993) was a British actress and humanitarian. Recognised as a film and fashion star, she was ranked by the American Film Institute as the t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audrey_Hepburn

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+ 4 more evidence sources

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“A Newcom survey found that 60% of 16-to-28-year-olds back an age limit, up from 44% a year ago.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The claim cites a 'Newcom survey' with specific figures (60% up from 44%). While the evidence confirms the existence of a 'Newcom' name (James E. Newcom, Newcom Group, Newcom Tavern), none of the provided search results or cross-references contain the specific survey data or the comparison figures (60% vs 44%) attributed to a 'Newcom survey' regarding age limits.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — James E. Newcom (August 29, 1905 – October 6, 1990) was an American film editor who had over 40 films during his long career.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_E._Newcom

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Newcom Group (Mongolian: Ньюком Групп) (the official name: Newcom LLC) is a Mongolian investment company. Its portfolio includes MobiCom Corporation, the first and the largest mobile telecommunication…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcom_Group

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Newcom Tavern, also known as the "Old Cabin", is a historic structure in Dayton, Ohio and is the city's oldest existing building. It was built in 1796 for Colonel George Newcom and his wife Mary, who …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcom_Tavern

+ 3 more evidence sources

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“Former education minister Koen Becking cited Dutch data showing children are more distracted and more anxious when they have access to devices.”

CORROBORATED

Two separate web search results cite former education minister Koen Becking referencing Dutch data showing that heavy social media use leads to increased distraction and anxiety in children.

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web search NEUTRAL — Koen Martijn Becking (Dutch: [ˈkum ˈbɛkɪŋ]; born 3 November 1969) is a Dutch academic administrator and politician of the conservative-liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), who serve…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koen_Becking

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web search NEUTRAL — Mar 25, 2026 · This challenges the idea that young people are desperate to be permanently online. Former education minister Koen Becking points to “growing evidence” that heavy social media use is bad…
https://www.europesays.com/uk/849023/

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web search NEUTRAL — Mar 25, 2026 · Former education minister Koen Becking points to growing evidence that heavy social media use is bad for mental health and social interaction, saying Dutch data show children are more d…
https://www.th3data.com/did-banning-phones-boost-focus-at-du…

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“The Dutch Research Council is examining the unintended consequences of the smartphone ban, including increased fear of missing out and post-school phone use.”

CORROBORATED

The claim is corroborated by a cross-reference and multiple web search results confirming that the Dutch Research Council is investigating the unintended consequences of the ban, specifically mentioning FOMO and post-school phone use.

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web search NEUTRAL — At the same time, the Dutch Research Council is now examining the unintended consequences of the smartphone ban, and whether being without a phone all day increases fear of missing out and ...
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqxjwvvyl4o

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web search NEUTRAL — Concurrently, the Dutch Research Council is investigating the unintended consequences of the smartphone ban. This includes examining whether a full day without a phone might heighten feelings of missi…
https://www.bode-living.com/2026/03/25/dutch-schools-smartph…

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web search NEUTRAL — As such, smartphone ban policies should be evaluated on more than the potential impact on academic performance, but also with consideration for their broader effects on students' well-being and social…
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10964-025-02313-6

+ 1 more evidence source

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“Students at Cygnus Gymnasium assert they are not binge-watching social media before or after school.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results or cross-references to support this specific claim.

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“Student Felix claims that keeping phones out of sight has increased students' presence and social interactions.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results or cross-references to support this specific claim.

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.

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Has banning phones improved performance at Dutch schools?

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