Why More and More Dutch Schools Are Going Smartphone-Free

The smartphone has been banned from the classroom. And that is good news for your child.

Since January 2024, a nationwide ban on smartphones in Dutch classrooms has been in effect. What started as an experiment has grown into a national movement supported by more than 50,000 parents. But why? And what does this mean for your child?

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

Research backed by the Dutch government shows that the smartphone ban in classrooms yields remarkable results:

Better concentration - Students can focus longer on lessons

More interaction - Pupils talk more with each other during breaks

Fewer distractions - Teachers experience fewer disruptions during class

Better learning environment - The overall atmosphere in class has improved

State Secretary Marielle Paul summed it up well: "Less distraction, more attention to the lesson, and more social students - no more mobile phones in the classroom is having wonderful positive effects."

The Smartphone-Free Childhood Movement

What began in 2024 as a small group of concerned parents has now grown into the Smartphonevrij Opgroeien (Smartphone-Free Childhood) foundation. This grassroots movement unites parents who believe that childhood is too short to spend on a smartphone.

The core message is clear: by postponing smartphone access until children are at least fourteen years old, we give them their childhood back. This means:

More time - An average of 40 hours per week that would otherwise be spent on the smartphone

More freedom - Space to truly be a child, play outside, explore

More social skills - Learning to communicate without a screen in between

Currently, parents at more than two-thirds of Dutch primary schools work with so-called 'parent pacts': joint agreements to consciously postpone the age at which children receive a smartphone.

But What If Your Child Still Needs to Be Reachable?

This is the question that concerns many parents. You do not want to give your child a smartphone because of all the distractions, but you do want to know when the tests are, what the homework is, and whether your child has arrived safely at school.

The Smartphone-Free Childhood movement advises a 'dumbphone' for reachability - a simple phone that allows your child to call and text, but without social media, games, or internet.

But there is a better alternative: Loek.

Loek: School Info Without a Smartphone

Loek is a smartphone-free device specifically designed for students. It displays:

The schedule - Which classes do you have today?

Homework - What still needs to be done?

Tests - When are the exams?

The big difference? No social media. No games. No distracting notifications. Only the information your child needs to be well-prepared for school.

With its e-ink display (like an e-reader), your child can check the information without the temptation of a smartphone. And with a battery life of 3 months, you never have to stress about charging.

For Parents Who Want to Stay Informed

As a parent, you can see exactly what your child sees through the Loek dashboard. When was that math test again? Has he already done his homework? You stay involved without your child needing a smartphone.

The Future Is Smartphone-Free

The Netherlands is leading the way in Europe when it comes to smartphone-free schools. Countries like Belgium, Germany, and Finland are looking at our approach with interest. The science is clear: less screen time means better concentration, better social skills, and happier children.

Do you also want your child to focus on learning instead of scrolling?

Discover Loek - School info without a smartphone.

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Loek helps students focus on learning by displaying school information without smartphone distractions. Want to know more? See how Loek works.