A ban on mobile phones in Dutch classrooms is now being considered for Irish secondary schools.

This week, the Dutch Government decided to ban devices including mobile phones from classrooms to stop learning disruptions.

The initiative is being introduced in collaboration with schools and will take effect at the start of next year.

On The Hard Shoulder, Assistant Principal at St Munchins College and Aontú Education spokesperson Eric Nelligan said his school implements the "not seen, not heard, not confiscated" rule.

"We want to virtually eliminate the amount of times the mobile phone was out during the school day," he said.

"It is a great idea by the Dutch Government."

Devices

Mr Nelligan said the Dutch Government plan to ban tablets and smartwatches as well as mobile phones.

"There are quite a number of E-schools out there who use laptops or tablets for books instead of physical books," he said.

"So, that would be interesting to see how it would be implemented here.

"There was research in the University of Texas, showing that students that didn't access a phone, didn't have smartphones in the classroom or didn't have tablets in the classroom had 6% higher grades."

Discipline

Mr Nelligan said the ban would only work based on implementation and discipline.

"Any teenager, boy or girl, will not want to be without a phone for one night – never mind longer than that," he said.

"Teenagers are always worried they are missing out – by having a phone or having a tablet – there always thinking, 'I need to keep an eye on my phone to see what's going on here.'

Mobile classrooms

Mr Nelligan said he would advocate for mobile classrooms, where students can access desktops in specific classrooms.

"From an educational point of view, if you do need to access digital stuff, it's allowed," he said.

"Students that have special needs or additional needs, they can use them if they're needed.

"It allows us to put in the proper structures in a proper environment when they're needed for research or checking things out.

"This kind of digital detox in school, it's shown to improve academic performance, it cuts down on cyberbullying.

"I would not be in favour of a full ban but strictly controlled and allowed it where it's needed for the classroom environment."