The Delhi High Court recently stated that an outright ban on students using smartphones in schools is neither practical nor advisable. Instead, the court emphasized the need for guidelines to regulate and monitor their use within school premises.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani noted the significant advancements in technology, particularly in education and related fields, and emphasized that a complete ban on smartphones in schools would be undesirable.
“This court would observe that much has changed in the past years as regards the use of technology, including for educational and other related purposes. In the opinion of this court therefore, a complete ban on use of smartphones by students attending school is both an undesirable and unworkable approach,” the Court stated.
The Court further noted that smartphones help students stay connected with their parents and enhance their safety and security.
“Without detracting from the deleterious and harmful effects that arise from the indiscriminate use and misuse of smartphones in school, this court is of the view that smartphones also serve several salutary purposes, including as devices that help with co-ordination between parents and the children, which adds to the safety and security of students attending school,” the Court stated.
The Court was hearing a petition related to an incident where a minor student was found using a smartphone at Kendriya Vidyalaya. The student had filed the petition seeking directions to allow the use of smartphones in school.
During the hearing, Kendriya Vidyalaya requested the Court to establish guidelines on smartphone usage in schools. In response, the Court stated that while students should not be prohibited from carrying smartphones as a matter of policy, their use must be regulated and monitored.
Accordingly, the Court set out the following guiding principles for schools to follow when addressing instances of students using smartphones on school premises:
The Court laid down the following guiding principles for schools to regulate smartphone usage among students:
The Court recommended confiscation of smartphones as a disciplinary measure for policy violations. It also emphasized the need for regular review and revision of the policy to address evolving technology-related challenges.
A copy of the order was directed to be sent to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Directorate of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi, and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.
Advocates Ashu Bidhuri, Swapnam Prakash Singh, Hemant Baisla, Shabana Hussain, and Satyansh Gupta represented the minor student.
Advocates S. Rajappa, R. Gowrishankar, and G. Dhivyasri appeared for Kendriya Vidyalaya.
Advocates Anuj Tyagi and Akshita Agarwal represented the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
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