Introduction: In a bid to address classroom disruptions and challenge the increasing reliance on digital education, UNESCO, the United Nations’ education, science, and culture agency, has advocated for a ban on smartphones in schools.

Digital Learning : Not All Change Leads to Progress

• UNESCO warns policymakers about the increasing global attention on digital learning methods.
• The organization emphasizes that not all changes in education necessarily represent progress.
• Merely because something is technically possible does not imply it should be implemented in the educational system.
• UNESCO urges policymakers to prioritize the social dimension of education.
• Balancing technological advancements with a human-centric approach is crucial for effective and meaningful learning experiences.

Why Banning of Smartphones are Important?

Effect of Digital Learning on Children’s Morals and Values: –

Findings of the UNESCO report

• The survey included 186 kids in different age groups: 3-5 years, 6-10 years, and 11-15 years.
• Electronic devices occupied a significant amount of children’s time, surpassing the recommended duration.
• Among children aged 3-5 years, 54% engaged in electronic studying.
• Constant distractions from notifications, social media, and entertainment content negatively affected information processing, retention, and comprehension.

Positive Effect of Digital Learning on the Children’s Morals and Values: – 

• Internet promotes learning, knowledge, and skill improvement.
• It encourages innovation and creativity in children.
• Internet offers inspirational content for ethical development.
• Positive interactions foster empathy and moral values.
• During the pandemic, internet enables peer interactions and skill development.

Negative Effect of Digital Learning on the Children’s Morals, and Values: – 

• Distraction: Students get distracted during lectures or study time due to notifications from social media apps.
• Reduced Attention Span: Students get distracted during lectures or study time due to notifications from social media apps.
• Reduced Attention Span: Children find it difficult to focus on a single task for an extended period due to constant multitasking on devices.
• Impaired Sleep: Excessive use of mobile devices before bedtime leads to sleep disturbances and reduced sleep duration.
• Cyberbullying: Children experiencing cyberbullying through social media platforms, lead to emotional distress and impact their learning.
• Reduced Face-to-Face Interaction: Overreliance on virtual communication leads to decreased social skills and communication abilities.
• Lack of Physical Activity: Spending excessive time on mobile devices leads to a sedentary lifestyle, affecting overall health and academic performance.
• Inaccurate Information: Children may come across misleading or false information online, impacting their understanding and knowledge.
• Privacy Concerns: Sharing personal information on social media or other platforms without understanding the potential risks to privacy.
• Addiction: Developing addictive behaviour towards mobile devices leads to withdrawal symptoms when not using them.

UNESCO Estimates: One in Four Countries Bans Smartphones in School

• France introduced a policy to restrict the use of smartphones in schools in 2018.
• The Netherlands is planning to impose similar curbs in 2024 to enhance students’ concentration and study opportunities.
• In his statement, Dutch education minister, Robbert Dijkgraaf, emphasized controlling mobile phones based on scientific research, highlighting their disruptive impact on students and the necessity to ensure their protection.
• The UK government has called for a ban on mobile phones in schools as a measure to improve student discipline.

How Screen Time’s Impact on Kids’ Nutrition Balance?

• Experts have established a connection between unhealthy eating habits, obesity, and excessive screen time in children.
• Kids often miss regular meals due to constant attention given to playing or watching videos on screens.
• Mindless eating or eating solely to satisfy hunger can lead to imbalanced nutrition in kids.
• Screen time can also interfere with sleep, as the blue light emitted by screens disrupts the natural production of melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating sleep.
• Excessive screen time can lead to problems like obesity, inadequate sleep, eye fatigue, reduced physical activity, and hindered social growth.
• Reducing screen time can help improve sleep quality and support overall well-being in children.

​What should be parents careful about?

• Excessive screen time can lead to various issues like vision problems, eye irritation, and a burning sensation in the eyes.
• Hyperactivity is a long-term complication associated with excessive screen time in children.
• Restlessness, anxiety, and concentration problems are common in children exposed to prolonged screen time.
• Children may struggle to focus and become very restless due to excessive screen use.
• Memory-related problems, including selective memory, can occur in children who spend extended periods on screens.
• Children may remember things seen on TV or mobile devices while forgetting important information learned in the classroom.

How Kids can develop well-rounded lifestyle?

• Engaging in hobbies, sports, and creative activities can contribute to a well-rounded lifestyle for children and reduce their dependence on screens.
• Experts recommend encouraging physical activity, outdoor play, and face-to-face interactions as healthy alternatives to screen time.
• By incorporating these activities, parents can promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle for their children.
• Reducing screen time can help improve sleep quality and support overall well-being in children.

Way Forward

• Instead of instituting complete bans on phones, it would be better to introduce smartphone-use policies that encourage digital skills and resilience among children.
• Parents and educators should teach children and adolescents about the benefits and risks associated with mobile phone use.
• We should replace the present prohibitive approach with a positive one, treating phones as tools for learning and sensitizing children to the dangers associated with smartphone use.

UNESCO Urges School Smartphone Ban,UNESCO Urges School Smartphone Ban

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