China bans mobile phones in schools to ‘protect students’ eyesight’ and prevent addiction
Teachers told not to set homework through devices
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Your support makes all the difference.China has banned mobile phones in schools in order to “protect the students’ eyesight” and prevent them from becoming addicted to the internet and online games.
The Ministry of Education said the ban, which is effective in primary and secondary schools immediately, was also designed to help students focus on their studies.
It prevents pupils from bringing their phones onto school grounds without parental approval and the school’s written permission. Even then, all mobile phones must be handed in at the start of classes and will only be returned at the end of the day.
The ministry said the ban was introduced to "protect the students’ eyesight, allow students to concentrate on schoolwork and to prevent internet and online games addiction. In principle, no student in elementary and secondary schools is allowed to bring personal phones on to the campus.”
Teachers have also been told not to set homework through mobile phones or to encourage pupils to complete their work on their phones.
A vast majority of children and teenagers in China use their smartphones to access the internet, according to a report from the government-affiliated China Internet Network Information Centre, which wound 74 per cent of under 18s had their own mobile device in 2019.
The report found those under 18 typically used their phones for online study, listening to music and playing games.
The prospect of a ban received mixed reviews in China.
A survey of 1,900 people by thecover.cn, published on Weibo - China’s version of Twitter - found 54 per cent of people said they believed it was unnecessary for schoolchildren to take phones into school grounds, more than a quarter wanting a more flexible policy and 20 per cent saying mobile phones should be allowed on school campuses.
However, a Sina News poll of some 27,000 people found the majority thought there was no need for the new rules because of a widespread ban on mobile phones during school hours.
Additional reporting by agencies
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