NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has ruled that a complete ban on students using smartphones in schools is neither desirable nor practical.
Instead, it agrees to framing a set of guidelines to regulate their usage.
Emphasising that smartphones can be misused; the court points out that they play a crucial role in student safety and communication with parents.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, while hearing a case, acknowledged the evolving role of technology in education and stressed that an outright ban would be counterproductive.
“This court would observe that much has changed in the past years as regards the use of technology, including for educational and other related purposes. In the opinion of this court therefore, a complete ban on use of smartphones by students attending school is both an undesirable and unworkable approach,” media reports said while quoting the court’s observation.
A bench, hearing the case, said that smartphones facilitate coordination between students and their parents, contributing to their safety and security.
“Without detracting from the deleterious and harmful effects that arise from the indiscriminate use and misuse of smartphones in school, this court is of the view that smartphones also serve several salutary purposes, including as devices that help with co-ordination between parents and the children, which adds to the safety and security of students attending school,” the Court said.
The court was hearing a petition filed by a minor student who challenged the restriction on smartphone use at Kendriya Vidyalaya. The student sought directions to schools to permit the use of smartphones.
During the proceedings, Kendriya Vidyalaya requested the High Court to frame clear guidelines on the issue.
The High Court observed that students should not be barred from carrying smartphones to school but should be subject to reasonable restrictions and oversight.
Guideline for using smartphone
- Where feasible, schools should provide arrangements for students to deposit their smartphones during school hours.
- The use of smartphones should be prohibited in classrooms, school vehicles, and common areas.
- Schools should educate students on responsible online behaviour, digital etiquette, and ethical smartphone usage.
- Students should be made aware that excessive screen time and social media engagement can lead to anxiety, reduced attention spans, and cyberbullying.
- While smartphone use for safety and coordination with parents should be permitted, entertainment and recreational use should be disallowed.
- Schools should formulate their smartphone policies in consultation with parents, educators, and experts, allowing flexibility to cater to their specific needs.
- There should be clear, fair, and enforceable consequences for rule violations, ensuring consistency without excessive harshness.
The High Court recommended that schools impose punishments such as confiscation of smartphones to enforce discipline and regularly review policies to keep up with evolving technological challenges.
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