Indian schools face a smartphone crisis — should parents be worried?
- Alka Dhupkar
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM Mar 19, 2025, 20:50 IST IST
Are smartphones ruining students’ focus and health? The Delhi high court just ruled on smartphone use in schools, rejecting a total ban but enforcing strict regulations. With rising cyberbullying, anxiety, and myopia, should India go further?
The debate over smartphone use in schools has reached a critical point in India, driven by growing concerns about its impact on student well-being, academic focus, and social skills. While digital connectivity has become an essential part of modern education, unrestricted access to smartphones has sparked fears of distraction, dependency, and deteriorating health among students. This tension between tech advancement and student welfare has led to calls for regulatory intervention in recent times, culminating in a landmark ruling by the Delhi high court in March 3.
The court was responding to a petition filed by a group of parents and educators who were alarmed by the increasing number of smartphone-related disciplinary issues in schools. The petitioners highlighted instances of students using mobile phones during class hours for non-educational purposes, engaging in cyberbullying, and experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and depression due to excessive screen time. At the same time, some parents opposed a complete ban, arguing that smartphones were necessary for staying connected with their children, particularly for safety reasons.
The court was responding to a petition filed by a group of parents and educators who were alarmed by the increasing number of smartphone-related disciplinary issues in schools. The petitioners highlighted instances of students using mobile phones during class hours for non-educational purposes, engaging in cyberbullying, and experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and depression due to excessive screen time. At the same time, some parents opposed a complete ban, arguing that smartphones were necessary for staying connected with their children, particularly for safety reasons.
