Cell phones, smartwatches, and tablets are now prohibited for students at primary and secondary schools in the Netherlands.

The government of the Netherlands cited these devices as a “distraction” that hinders academic performance and social interaction.

As students returned to primary schools in the Netherlands on Monday, September 2, a new ban on smart devices went into effect.

Smart devices have been prohibited in secondary schools since January. Currently, a cross-the-board prohibition has been implemented nationwide.

The Ministry of Education in The Hague has officially communicated its position regarding the impact of mobile phones on students. According to the Ministry, mobile phones serve as a source of distraction, significantly reducing students’ ability to concentrate and subsequently diminishing their overall learning performance.

“There is increasing evidence that cell phones in class are harmful. Students can concentrate less and their performance suffers. We need to protect students from that,” the Dutch government said in a statement.