The United Nations advises schools worldwide to ban smartphones because their effects are extremely detrimental to learning and social development.
More and more schools require students to put away their mobile phones during class
A new report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommends banning phones from classrooms to reduce cyberbullying and prevent negative effects on children’s emotional stability and academic performance. It sounds wild, but several countries have already implemented this exact ban. And when we see how smartphones can affect children, it seems crazy that they’re even allowed in schools.
“Smartphones pose a great danger to children, both psychologically and physically. Over-reliance on smartphones can lead to screen addiction, which can be detrimental to children’s sleep patterns, physical health, and academic performance,” Chuky Ofoegbu, founder of Sojourning Scholar, a website that helps foreign students, told Lifewire via email.
“Excessive screen time can lead to obesity due to sedentary behavior. In terms of mental health, exposure to harmful online content, online bullying, and negative comparisons with others on social media can lead to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. In addition, children may unknowingly share private information, making them susceptible to online predators and identity theft.”
