The increasing prevalence of mobile phone usage among school children has emerged as a significant concern, warranting urgent attention. The problem is acute in India, owing to a lack of reading culture and parents’ general ignorance about cell phones’ perils at an early age.
It needn’t be reiterated that smartphones not only distract children from studies, contributing to cognitive deficiencies, but also make them susceptible to inappropriate content and cyberbullying. Heightened anxiety, diminishing ability to focus, a lack of physical activity, sleep deprivation, and impaired social skills manifest themselves in various forms.
With limited control over screen time, both teachers and parents are struggling to manage this issue.
Responding to an urgent need for better regulations to balance technology use with child development, the Gujarat government will be curtailing children’s smart phones usage.
Observing that there has been an increase in suicides among children, state Education Minister Praful Pansheriya told a section of the media, “Disturbed over the excessive use of social media and smart phones by students that is affecting their physical and mental health, I convened a meeting of senior education officials and formed a committee. It has been tasked with framing rules for students, parents and teachers to reduce the use of mobile phones and pay more attention to sports and physical activities.”
He added, “Teachers will be banned from using mobile phones in the classroom and strict measures will be taken to ensure that primary school children do not come to school with mobile phones.”
The government will issue a circular in this regard in consultation with Children’s University and Indian Institute of Teachers Education as well as psychiatrists at civil hospitals, supported by a campaign.
Pansheriya said the teachers will be instructed to promote activities like reading and sports among children instead of being glued to social media platforms.
Parents too will be requested not to avoid social media before their children. A short film will be screened in every school to educate parents about the perils of social media.
Pansheriya hoped other states would emulate Gujarat.
The news report added that the minister has reached out to NGOs, religious organisations and social activists to join the campaign.
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