Complete Smartphone Ban in Schools Not Feasible Says Delhi High Court Share Guidelines to Regulate all Details

The Delhi High Court described the completely ban on the use of smartphones for students in schools as impractical and said that it may be necessary for safety and communication. The court said that in view of the increasing use of technology, it would not be right to ban the smartphone completely. However, its disciplined and limited usage is necessary. The court made this comment during the hearing of a student’s petition, seeking permission to bring smartphones to the school. The court said that schools should make clear rules on the use of smartphones, so that the safety of the students can be maintained and unnecessary side effects can be avoided.

Bar and bench of UnderThe bench of Delhi High Court Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani made this comment during the hearing on the petition in which a student demanded permission to use smartphone in Kendriya Vidyalaya. During the hearing, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan requested the court to issue guidelines regarding smartphone usage in schools. The court said in its order that students should not be prevented from bringing smartphones in school, but its usage should be kept in regulation and monitoring. For this, the court also issued some important guidelines:

• Where possible, schools should make safe arrangements to keep smartphones and students should be encouraged to submit their phones during school time.
• There should be strict restrictions on the use of smartphones in class, school vehicles and common areas.
• Students should be made aware of online behavior, digital etiquette and moral use of smartphones.
• Schools should ensure that more screen time and social media need excessive use, students do not face problems such as stress, decrease in focus and cyber bullying.
• Smartphone use should be allowed for safety and coordination in schools policy, but its use should be banned for entertainment and entertaining activity.
• Parents, teachers and experts should be consulted in deciding the rules related to smartphone usage.
• Each school should be allowed to apply its policy according to its unique requirements.
• There should be a transparent and fair punitive action on the inappropriate use of the smartphone, which is not rigid and logical.

The court suggested that seizing smartphones as disciplinary action can be an effective way. Also, it is necessary to periodically review the rules related to the smartphone, so that technology related challenges can be resolved. The court also directed to send a copy of its order to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Directorate of Education of the Government of Delhi and the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.