Education officials and parents highlight that high mobile use for studies, coupled with inability to control usage outside school hours makes blanket ban impractical
The state government’s move to consider a ban on mobile phones for children below 16 years has triggered a wider debate on feasibility and long term impact. The proposal came up during a recent meeting of vice chancellors chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, where views were sought on restricting smartphone usage among students.
The Chief Minister has indicated that the government is examining measures to curb excessive mobile use in schools, drawing inspiration from international models such as Australia. With rising concerns over social media addiction and its impact on teenage mental health, the government is exploring the possibility of prohibiting smartphones within school and educational institution campuses. An official order may be issued after further consultations.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar confirmed that discussions are ongoing. He said, “There is pressure from parents to ban mobile use for students. We have banned mobile phones in our schools too. We cannot disclose how mobiles are being misused. Many countries have already banned mobiles in schools. A similar step is being discussed here as well.” Similar proposals are reportedly being examined in Goa and Andhra Pradesh, signalling that the issue is gaining policy attention across states.
Ground concerns
However, education stakeholders have cautioned that a complete ban may not be easy to implement or sustain. D Shashi Kumar, General Secretary of the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka, has urged the government to adopt a balanced and structured approach instead of an outright prohibition.
He pointed out that while opinions from higher education institutions may favour a ban, the issue primarily concerns students at the primary and secondary levels. “At this stage, age, psychological development, parental role and the nature of the school environment must be carefully considered before framing any policy,” he said.
Citing Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024, he highlighted the scale of mobile penetration among teenagers aged 14 to 16.
“A complete ban alone will not offer a long term solution. Regulated and responsible use through a structured SOP will be more practical,” he stated.
He also noted that mobile usage outside school hours cannot be controlled by institutional bans. With growing use at home for homework and coaching classes, parental supervision and platform accountability are equally important.
Among the suggestions placed before the government are a state level Standard Operating Procedure, introduction of a regulated Student Internet Pack in collaboration with telecom companies, and blocking access to social media and gaming during school hours under teacher monitoring.
He has also recommended Aadhaar-based age verification for online gaming and social media, mandatory parental consent for minors, and strict action against fake age accounts.>
