Students taking psychology and educational theory at Erasmus University in Rotterdam are banned from using mobile phones and laptops during some lessons, broadcaster RTL reported on Monday.

The decision to stop students from using their phones is part of learning ‘professional behaviour’, the university told the AD. ‘If you are working with a client with depression, you can’t check your phone either,’ educational director Guus Smeets said.

Smeets said he expects students to cooperate with the rules, as they will have to do in the future. ‘The person who does not react when their tutor asks them to put their phone away will get a bad mark,’ he said.

Last month educational research group DUO looked into the use of smartphones in school, and found 54% of teachers are angered by their pupils’ use of social media during lessons.

Nevertheless, 51% think the use of smartphones can enrich education.