Should Smartphones Be Banned For Children?

KAKALI DAS

The debate over whether to ban smartphones in schools has been ongoing for some time. It is widely recognized that smartphones can negatively impact children’s mental and physical health, as well as their ability to focus.

Countries around the world are increasingly seeking to limit smartphone use in schools. Nearly 80 nations have implemented policies on the matter—some enforcing nationwide bans, others imposing restrictions at the state level.

Should Smartphones Be Banned For Children? Image: Powershift

In some cases, schools permit phones only with parental consent, require them to be stored in lockers, or mandate that they be handed over during class.

There is no clear consensus on how smartphones should be banned, but opinions on the issue are strong. In most cases, a ban means no phones in class, in the corridors, or even during break times. However, in practice, such restrictions often prove ineffective.

Whether phones are banned in classrooms or their use is restricted in canteens, school phone bans seem largely ineffective. They do not improve grades, enhance well-being, influence classroom behaviour, alter sleep patterns, encourage physical activity, or reduce the overall time children spend on their devices.

Harsh, isn’t it? But don’t blame me—I’m just sharing the findings of a new study. The first of its kind, this study reveals that when comparing schools with phone bans to those without, the outcomes remain the same across all metrics. Grades, well-being, health—nothing changes.

In short, restricting phone use in schools doesn’t make a difference. Yet, the study—like many before it—also acknowledges that smartphones can be harmful to children. Excessive phone use can disrupt sleep, reduce physical activity, increase social pressure, raise privacy concerns, contribute to sexual harassment, lower grades, and serve as a constant distraction. Even notifications from phones kept out of reach can break students’ focus.

Countless studies have confirmed what we already know—phones can be all-consuming. Designed for addiction, they keep users hooked with endless scrolling and constant notifications.

But simply banning phones in schools doesn’t change the bigger picture. It won’t turn back time or stop children from using them—they’ll just spend hours on their devices elsewhere instead.

Next time you’re out, take a look around! You’ll see children with their eyes glued to mobile phones at home and crossing the street, completely absorbed in their screens. Today, kids’ addiction to phones often starts long before they even step into a classroom.

By the age of 14, 96% of children in the UK own a phone, compared to 42% in the US. In India and China, the figure stands at 27%, reflecting a similar trend in both countries.

Smartphones are an integral part of life. While they can be harmful, their benefits can’t be overlooked either. They enable children to stay connected with parents, ensure their safety while traveling, help with navigation, book transport, order food, connect with friends, study, explore, and even get creative. Clearly, there are two sides to this story.

In today’s world, a single ban won’t make phones disappear. If adults truly want to address the harms of mobile phones, they need to focus on tackling those harms, both in schools and beyond.

We need better policies that protect children’s privacy, limit harmful content on social media, set clear usage boundaries, and help children spend less time on their phones. Schools should also promote physical activity. Instead of merely policing children, we should involve them, have open conversations, and educate them about healthy phone use.

Smartphone bans in schools are the easy solution, but they work in isolation and aren’t truly effective. They’re not getting the desired results. It’s time for adults to do a better job of figuring out what actually works.

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