The Delhi High Court has refused to impose a blanket ban on smartphones in schools stating that it is an “undesirable and unworkable” approach.

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, while issuing guidelines on the regulated use of smartphones by students in schools, stated that, as a matter of policy, students should not be prohibited from bringing smartphones to school, but their usage must be regulated and monitored.

The Court was hearing a case involving a minor student who faced certain consequences due to misusing a smartphone while at school. The petition was filed by the minor, who was enrolled in a Kendriya Vidyalaya school.

The court said,” “Where it is possible to facilitate safekeeping of smartphones, students should be required to deposit their smartphones when they enter school and take them back when returning home.”

 Here are some guidelines the court has issued in this regard:

• Schools should make provisions for students to deposit their smartphones upon arrival and collect them at the end of the day.
• Smartphones must be banned during class to avoid disruptions, and devices with cameras or recording features should not be used in shared spaces.
• Schools should educate students about ethical smartphone use, digital etiquette, and the risks of excessive screen time, such as anxiety, reduced attention spans, and cyberbullying.
• They must serve the purpose of safety, coordination and education and not luxury or entertainment.
• Schools must have regulations catering to the needs of their institution permitting usage in a monitored fashion.
• School policies must define clear, fair, and enforceable consequences for smartphone misuse, such as temporary confiscation or banning a student from bringing a smartphone for a set period, ensuring consistency without being overly harsh.
• School policies must be reviewed periodically. 

Also read: The Global Debate on Smartphone Bans in Schools: Striking a Balance