The House of Representatives' Committee on the Welfare of Children has began its deliberation on a bill banning the use of smartphones and other electronic gadgets in all schools by students from Grade 10 and below.
At a hearing conducted by the panel headed by Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Romualdez, stakeholders in House Bill 5542 filed by San Jose del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes,agreed to create a Technical Working Group that will meet on March 9, 2020 to discuss the provisions of the bill that seeks to impose a ban in all public and private schools nationwide on the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices among students aged 15 years and below.
In filing the bill, Robes said it aims to address the growing problem on mental health especially among children. She said many studies have shown the connection between unregulated smartphone and electronic gadget use, especially among the youth, and developing mental health problems.
“Mental health issues have become a major health problem especially among our young population and too much exposure and use of social media through our smartphones is one of its main reasons. It is time we confront this issue by imposing a clear and explicit policy in our schools. As a nation and responsible parents, we owe it to our future generation to shield them from unnecessary dangers and hindrance to their full growth. And today’s biggest danger is the growing addiction to mobile gadgets and smartphones,” Robes said.
Robes said many studies had shown that children who are allowed to use their phones and gadgets even during school hours exhibit psychological, physiological and mental health issues that are ‘interfering with education, diminishing academic performance, promoting cyber-bullying and contributing to an increase in teenage anxiety, depression and suicide.’