The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has called for a ban on the use of smartphones in schools around the world. The organization called for preventing disruption of students’ attention in the classroom, improving the quality of education and protecting children from cyberbullying. News BBC.
UNESCO says there is evidence that excessive mobile phone use reduces academic performance and that excessive screen time affects children’s mental stability.
The UN agency said that by calling for a ban on the use of smartphones in schools, it wants to send a clear message that all digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, should be subject to a ‘human-centred approach’ and should never be a substitute for face-to-face interaction with a teacher.
It may be noted that the Netherlands has recently announced that phones, tablets and smartwatches will be banned in classrooms from January 2024. This step has been taken to help students concentrate on their school work.
