Netherlands Urges Mobile Phone Ban in Schools, Proposes Minimum Age of 15 for Social Media
THE HAGUE: The Dutch cabinet has urged primary and secondary schools to ban students from using mobile phones during school hours, according to foreign media reports. Under the proposal, set to take effect on January 1, 2027, students would be required to keep their phones away during lessons, assemblies, breaks and all other times on…
THE HAGUE: The Dutch cabinet has urged primary and secondary schools to ban students from using mobile phones during school hours, according to foreign media reports. Under the proposal, set to take effect on January 1, 2027, students would be required to keep their phones away during lessons, assemblies, breaks and all other times on school premises.
The cabinet currently lacks the legal authority to impose a nationwide ban, but it can issue recommendations to the education sector. The proposal is part of a broader government strategy to protect children from the risks of excessive and potentially harmful online activity. Officials warned that addictive algorithms, autoplay videos and social media make it difficult for young people to cut back on screen time. In 2024, the government had already reached national agreements to limit phone use during lessons.
Alongside the school proposal, the cabinet is calling for tougher measures on children’s online safety, including a possible minimum age for social media access. While the European Commission is considering a minimum age of 13, the Dutch government has proposed setting the limit at 15.
The government is also drafting stricter rules for family vloggers and child influencers. Under the proposed regulations, online content produced by children under 15 could be classified as child labour and made subject to penalties and fines.
