Smart schools, not smartphones, for kids

Restricting the use of gadgets is good idea during formative years, but how much and till what age do schools enforce a ban when learning is aided by technology?

Technology can hurt the young if not used responsibly and wisely. The classroom is not the place for smartphones. Addiction to gadgets is afflicting the young, and they are not even aware of it. Parents are to blame because they have little time to engage their young ones in social activities. So there's this tech frenzy that finds its way school.

Children are reluctant to make friends and learn real lessons from real people in the Google age where information is available online through their waking hours and when they switch off the lights. As an alternative to sport, kids play games on their tablets or smartphones. It's simple. No sweat.

Take the case of the student who hid his phone in class and hurt himself when he was caught in the act. Schools have rightly banned students from bringing gadgets and gizmos to campus, but with a life mostly spent online, the young find it hard to resist the urge to stay connected. It has become second nature to them.

Restricting the use of gadgets is good idea during formative years, but how much and till what age do schools enforce a ban when learning is aided by technology? A balance should be sought by teachers and parents. Till that happens, it's not smart to send your child to school with a smartphone.