The Karnataka government’s decision to ban children under 16 years of age from using cell phones is a welcome  move, although it is not clear yet how the ban will be implemented. For instance, how will the government go about implementing its direction to cell phone companies not to sell cell phones to teenagers below 16? Parents could always buy the phones and give them to their children, thereby making the ban ineffective. The government has appealed to parents not to buy  phones for their children and also prevent children from using them at home. How feasible is this?

The government’s decision follows reports from doctors that the microwave signals from cell phones would have adverse effects on the physical and mental growth of children. In fact several schools and colleges have already banned cell phones on their premises. Many institutions in the state took this decision some time ago, after a multimedia messaging service (MMS) clip of a sexual act between minor students in a New Delhi school was sent out and posted on a website. Schools have always complained that children misuse their cell phones to play video games, to send SMSes or to listen to music during class hours. The use of cell phones by children has also become a matter of debate in schools across the world. Several British schools have banned cell phones on their school premises. In Greece the  government banned cell phones in schools after a sexual attack on a school girl by a fellow student was videotaped and sent out. Many educationists feel that the mobile phone has become a sort of status symbol for youngsters to carry and want to discourage its use in schools.

However some parents have opposed such a ban on the basis of concern for the safety of children. Parents In the US have been resisting it, as they feel the phone is an important communication link for their children to reach them in emergencies. There are also those who argue that the mobile phone is now an integral technology tool and instead of banning it, schools should use it as an educational tool. Children could be asked to film situations to support their study, record voices for language classes or surf the internet for reference. Given the divide, this is one debate that is not likely to go away soon.