Cabinet urges total school phone ban from 2027
The Dutch government wants primary and secondary schools to prohibit mobile phones across all school premises starting 1 January 2027.
The Dutch government wants primary and secondary schools to prohibit mobile phones across all school premises starting 1 January 2027.
The proposal: Under the sharpened advice, students will no longer be permitted to use phones during breaks, in canteens, or on school playgrounds. Because the cabinet cannot directly mandate phone policies at schools, it is issuing urgent guidance, expanding on the national classroom agreements established in 2024.
School responses: Education groups hold divided opinions on the recommendation:
- Secondary school association VO-raad called the advice exaggerated, pointing out that over 57 percent of secondary schools already enforce locker or home storage policies.
- Teaching union AOb supported the plan, stating that earlier restrictions on classroom phone use successfully reduced distractions and improved pupil concentration.
The big picture: The measure is part of a broader child online safety strategy presented by State Secretary for Digital Economy Willemijn Aerdts. The plan features around 40 initiatives, including a push for a European social media age threshold of 15, tighter rules on deferred payment services, and classifying commercial online content by children under 15 as child labour.
What is next: State Secretary for Education Tielen will hold talks with the education sector to establish formal implementation agreements.
