Should cellphones be banned in schools and colleges? A cross section of Indians feel that they should keeping in mind our children's behaviour and health.

“Such a move is welcome because cellphone use is increasing tensions in law and order and ensuring alienation of the children both socially and emotionally,” “A student with a cellphone is an uninterested student, one with a short attention span who cares more about socializing than education. When I’m writing on the blackboard, how many times I have found students text-messaging or otherwise playing with their phones. Am certain a handful of these students will fail and far too many will drop out of school.

The onus for failure should be placed on distractions in the classroom, specifically cellphones. Parents think of cellphones as a connection to their children in an emergency. In most cases, contacting the hospital or the police would seem more urgent. And parents can always call the school's main office to reach their children. Cellphones are status symbols for teenagers because when their phone rings while the teacher is talking, everyone laughs. And they think playing video games on their cell makes them look cool.”

Use of mobile phones amongst children should be banned across all the states, not only because it is likely to increase health hazards, but also as it hinders law and order.

“Children have been devoting more time to send an SMS, MMS and jokes etc., than on studying. They just keep on playing with the mobile sets day and night. Parents should take care of misuse by the children. In the parent-teacher meet we often counsel the parents not to provide cellphones to their wards," adds Sharmila.

Psychiatrist Dr Sanjay Chugh sums up, "Providing a cellphone to a kid is ensuring alienation socially and emotionally, even more than they already are. Cellphones are a nuisance in school. Students are on the phones all day long even during class, and miss important lessons, which is the point of attending school. Health hazard shouldn't be the only cause. The use of cellphones should be banned for school children especially, because they make the children unsocial. And all state governments across India should take this initiative."