On the other hand, students report encountering multiple practical problems now that they no longer have their phones on hand, the Volkskrant reports.
The Radboud University researchers surveyed about a thousand school students before the ban and three months afterward.
Over half said that they now speak to friends and classmates more.
“When the policy wasn’t in place yet, everyone was on a screen, and there was hardly any talking,” one student said.
“Making it mandatory to put away your phone is a relatively small measure for teachers and apparently has a significant effect.”.
Pouwels also noted that isolated or less socially skilled students feel even more excluded now that they can’t retreat to their phones.
Pouwels thinks teachers and mentors could help these students connect to their peers. »
