The Delhi High Court refused to impose a complete ban on students bringing smartphones to school. The court stated that smartphone usage does not negatively impact teaching, discipline, or the overall educational environment. It emphasized that schools can implement their own policies to regulate smartphone use as needed.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court declined to impose a ban on children bringing smartphones to school. The court emphasized that the use of smartphones does not adversely affect teaching, discipline, or the overall educational environment.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani made this ruling during a hearing of a petition filed by a student seeking guidelines on mobile phone usage in schools.
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The court outlined its intent to establish guidelines that strike a balance between the positive and negative impacts of smartphone usage in school:
- Policy on Carrying Smartphones: Students should not be prohibited from bringing smartphones to school, but their use must be regulated and monitored.
- Safekeeping Arrangements: Schools should facilitate the safekeeping of smartphones, requiring students to deposit them upon entry and retrieve them at the end of the day.
- Classroom Disruption: Smartphones must not interfere with classroom teaching, discipline, or the educational atmosphere; hence, their use in class is prohibited. Additionally, cameras and recording features on smartphones should not be used in common areas or school vehicles.
- Education on Online Behavior: Schools must provide instruction on responsible online conduct and digital etiquette, counseling students on the potential negative effects of excessive screen time and social media, such as anxiety and cyberbullying.
- Safety and Coordination: The policy should allow smartphone use for safety and coordination while prohibiting entertainment and recreational use.
- Consultative Approach: The policy for regulating smartphone use should be developed in consultation with parents, educators, and experts to create a balanced approach addressing all stakeholders’ concerns.
- School Discretion: Schools should have the flexibility to implement policies tailored to their unique contexts, which could include allowing limited smartphone use in certain areas or enforcing stricter bans during specific times or events.
- Enforcement of Rules: The policy should establish clear, fair, and enforceable consequences for violations, ensuring consistent application without excessive harshness. Possible consequences might include temporary confiscation of smartphones or a temporary ban on carrying them.
- Regular Review: Given the rapid evolution of technology, the policy should be regularly reviewed and updated to address emerging challenges.
A minor student, represented by Advocate Ashu Bidhuri, noted that during the hearing, parties involved particularly the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) requested the court to set guidelines for smartphone usage in schools.
The court invited submissions and suggestions from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan to address this issue.
The petitioner represented by Advocates Ashu Bidhuri, Swapnam Prakash Singh, Hemant Baisla, Shabana Hussain, and Satyansh Gupta, while the respondents were represented by Advocates S. Rajappa, R. Gowrishankar, G. Dhivyasri, Anuj Tyagi, and Akshita Agarwal.
Case Title: Y V vs. Kendriya Vidyalaya & Ors.
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