Giving Young Kids Smartphones or Tablets to Calm Them Down Can Stunt Emotional Development - Global Research
Global ResearchAPR 2023
Educators, school administration, and parents must heed UNESCO’s call to ban smartphones in schools as they are extremely detrimental to children’s learning, social skills, and mental health. The mere presence of a smartphone is enough to reduce a child’s cognitive capacity. These gadgets are not just becoming a distraction for students and wasting their time, they are forcing teachers to change their focus from education to discipline.
Banning smartphones entirely from schools is dangerous, as it could make it difficult for students to contact their parents in emergencies, including in cases of physical bullying. Instead of an outright ban, children must be taught how to use their smartphones responsibly. Absolute restrictions may or may not limit distractions, but responsible usage will make personal technology an unparalleled teaching tool.