A ban on cellphone use at Calvin College in the Netherlands was initially shocking to some students six years ago, according to Jan Bakker, the college president catering to students aged 12 to 18. The majority supported the idea, but around 20% of parents, teachers, and students surveyed opposed it, citing concerns about losing contact during the day and the benefits of embracing technology. Despite this, the school implemented the ban to combat the decline in social interactions due to excessive phone usage.
Nowadays, banning smartphones in schools is becoming more common across Europe. France, Belgium, Brussels, and Hungary have all initiated bans or restrictions on phone use in schools. Italy and Greece have also introduced measures to limit phone use during class hours. Calvin College officials noticed a positive shift in their school’s culture after implementing the ban, reclaiming social interactions and reducing interruptions.
Researchers at Radboud University surveyed students, parents, and teachers before and after cell phone bans were put in place at two schools, noting improvements in attentiveness, reduced distractions, and decreased cyberbullying post-ban. Students reported better quality social interactions and a decrease in cyberbullying. Despite some initial resistance, many students eventually embraced the ban, with some even preferring the newfound focus on real-world socialization.
Calvin College officials are confident in the ban’s positive impact, with no plans to reverse it. The school takes pride in being ahead of the curve in phone policy and believes the changes have not been in vain.
Source: www.theguardian.com
