Only “technology that supports learning” is justified in schools, according to the United Nations, which has issued a warning about the dangers of smartphones in classrooms.
According to Unesco, the UN agency for education, science, and culture, mobile devices can distract students, compromise their privacy, and encourage cyberbullying.
The report found that less than one-fourth of all countries have laws or policies banning phones in schools.
In the UK, head teachers set the rules, but most schools apply the restrictions.
The author of the 2023 Global Education Monitor report, Manos Antoninis, told the BBC that their research found “”examples of smartphone use in school that is distracting students from learning and increasing risks to their privacy at the same time”.
“Only technology that supports learning has a place in school,” he said.
According to Mr. Antoninis, countries must provide better guidance on what types of technology should be permitted in schools rather than completely shielding students from technology.
The report points out that numerous studies have demonstrated that banning mobile phones from classrooms enhances student achievement.
The use of phones for educational purposes in the classroom was permitted, according to Lexi, 16, but she claimed that students frequently used them for social media instead, or instead.
Despite the potential for bullying, she argued that smartphones can also foster a sense of connection.
“I can see how phones can have a damaging effect on the person being bullied and their mental health. But, speaking of mental health, phones can provide a good social connection.
“If you’re having a rough time with anything, then you should have the right to talk to someone,” she added.
Source-BBC
