However, there is a ban on driving a car on your own before you turn 18. This is because the vehicle also poses risks to traffic safety. That’s why it’s important to practice under supervision and to understand that driving a car is much more than just operating a machine. You’ll learn to be mindful of your surroundings, and your driving instructor will also point out where things can go wrong with the technology. Before you get your driver’s license, you’ll also gain valuable experience with other modes of transportation, such as a bicycle or, later on, a scooter. Strong winds and heavy rain aren’t pleasant, and transporting a large package requires quite a bit of creativity. However, you’ll also discover that biking can be fun.
Ban on AI use
In late October, a large majority in the House of Representatives voted in favor of a ban on the use of AI in elementary schools. The cabinet must now work out the details. The arguments are that young children must first learn to read well and develop creative and critical thinking skills. The fear expressed by Volt and the CDA the sponsors of the motion is that, just as with the use of social media, policymakers are lagging behind the times.
After a long lead-up, it was agreed nationwide in 2024 that secondary school students may not use cell phones unless necessary for educational purposes. The debate that resurfaces time and again is whether such a ban hinders the development of digital skills. Ultimately, society is changing rapidly under the influence of various developments in digital technology. Shouldn’t people be exposed to it as early as possible?
The major danger of early technology use is that you fail to sufficiently develop the necessary basic skills. For example, there are already warnings that a new generation of software developers will be unable to critically evaluate the code produced by various AI tools because they have never solved a somewhat complex problem by programming on their own.
Restricting Free Choice
The “cellphone ban” initially seemed like a pointless measure, since students can get around it and face no restrictions on using their phones outside of school. Yet the ban appears to be working very well. Teachers are noticing that students are interacting more again, and there are fewer distractions during class.
A ban on the use of AI, much like the “cell phone ban,” may initially seem like a restriction on young people’s freedom of choice, but it offers many benefits. Young people first develop the basic skills that will enable them to use AI critically and responsibly later on. Perhaps there should be a “digital driver’s license” for young people. As early as the late 1990s, the Dutch House of Representatives was already discussing such a digital driver’s license. Although, at the time, that referred to a certification of teachers’ digital skills, not those of students. Unfortunately, a driver’s license does not guarantee responsible driving behavior, as I regularly observe on the road.
Preventing Accidents
A ban on driving at a young age has likely prevented many accidents. Similarly, a ban on AI use in elementary school could also ensure that young people cause fewer problems later on. Perhaps such an AI ban is also worth considering for secondary education.