Mobile Phone Ban in Primary Schools Does Not Reduce Bullying

Primary schools in the Netherlands observe that the implementation of a mobile phone ban at school has hardly led to a decrease in online bullying. Two years after the measure, it appears that bullying behavior mainly occurs outside of school hours and through Dutch group apps on phones, such as Snapchat and WhatsApp. This sheds new light on effective strategies against digital peer pressure and underscores the need for clear agreements, modern teaching methods, and active guidance.

Experts emphasize that online bullying often takes place in group apps, where children are excluded or receive offensive comments. The use of AI-edited images exacerbates this issue, as such bullying behavior often occurs outside the supervision of teachers. Since the mobile phone ban does not provide control over messages sent outside school hours, many schools experience little improvement in the situation, despite the restrictions imposed.

The impact of online bullying appears particularly significant for children who are already socially vulnerable. Sociologists point out that the digital environment makes it more difficult for victims to escape hostile communication. Due to the low threshold for continuing to bully online, offensive messages can be quickly spread and keep coming back on the victims' phones, leading to increasing pressure and feelings of isolation.

To tackle the issue of online bullying, experts advocate for a joint approach by parents and schools. According to Remco Spithoven, professor of online resilience at Saxion University of Applied Sciences, it is important for parents to take more responsibility for their children's online behavior. Both parties should collaborate on clear guidelines and structural support, where parents actively engage in conversations with children about their online experiences. This provides opportunities to create a safer environment both at school and at home, reducing the likelihood of bullying in digital group chats.

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