UNESCO calls for a global ban on smartphones in schools

New York: According to a report by UNESCO, due to the detrimental effects of excessive smartphone use on students' learning outcomes and emotional well-being, the organization is urging schools worldwide to impose restrictions on smartphones.

The Global Education Monitoring (GEM) 2023 report by UNESCO reveals evidence that excessive mobile phone usage is linked to reduced academic performance and negatively impacts children's emotional well-being.

UNESCO's Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, emphasized the need to regulate the digital revolution just as there have been warnings about regulating it in society.

He added, "In the same way, attention should be paid to its use in education."

Azoulay further stated, "Its usage should enhance learning experiences and benefit students' and teachers' well-being, not cause harm."

UNESCO stressed in its report that countries need to ensure they have clear objectives and principles in place to ascertain that digital technology is beneficial for education and safeguards individual students' health, democracy, and human rights on a broader scale.

The report highlights that, based on an assessment of 200 educational systems globally, one in four countries has implemented restrictions on smartphones in schools through legislation or guidelines.

France introduced its policy in 2018, and the Netherlands will enforce such restrictions starting in 2024.

The director of the report, Manos Antoninis, emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes when utilizing technology in education to avoid repeating them in the future.

Antoninis stressed the necessity of teaching children to live with technology and without it, ensuring a balanced approach.