Govt plans mobile phone ban for children below 12

26 October 2025 05:18 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 16 Bookmark

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Colombo, Oct. 26 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka plans to prohibit the use of smartphones by school children under the age of 12, Child Affairs Minister Saroja Paulraj said.

Speaking at a function attended by students, the Minister said the government will ensure that children below 12 years are not allowed to own or use mobile phones.

Comments - 16

Pathmaranjan Sunday, 26 October 2025 05:26 PM

This is not possible. Do the Government plans to place Police in every household. It is upto the parents to use guide lines. This is completely upto the parents . Children should not use phones in school.

12 17

SCHOOL IS FOR CONCENTRATING, FOCUSSING ON STUDIES NOT MOBILES Sunday, 26 October 2025 10:03 PM

What it means in NOT in schools. Obviously they cannot interfere with what goes on in peoples homes, it is up to the parents to advise their children NOT to use their mobiles while in school. As we all know if there is an emergency in any school the parents will be notified.

4 12

Amila Sunday, 26 October 2025 05:42 PM

Very good move

6 16

Ranjith Koanwinne Sunday, 26 October 2025 06:02 PM

Please see the posibility of prohibiting SMART phones, but allowing one to one communication between working parents and lower grade students using basic mobiles.

2 13

romesh kandiah Sunday, 26 October 2025 07:32 PM

very good decision ,long overdue -so many have ruined their life and studies due to this curse

4 19

Concerned Citizen Sunday, 26 October 2025 10:05 PM

Exactly, excellent decision.

2 11

Dr. Dee esquire Sunday, 26 October 2025 08:52 PM

Allow a mobile phone with access to pre designed numbers. Ban ‘smart phones’!

3 13

Bandara W Sunday, 26 October 2025 10:09 PM

Install CCTV cameras in every classroom.

0 1

Cassie Sunday, 26 October 2025 10:13 PM

Ridiculous government overreach! How are kids able to contact their parents and guardians considering many kiddos go alone for classes.

1 0

S Dharmatilleke Monday, 27 October 2025 12:53 AM

Best decision by government. Kids do not need phones. In an emergency schools office can contact the parent like in the good old days. And parent s must supervise kids at home if they allow the use of phones. Much better for kids to play in a garden than hang on to phones at ayoung age

0 2

Tissa Peiris Monday, 27 October 2025 06:57 AM

Great move by the Ministry of Education! Banning smartphones for children below 12 years old is a smart and healthy decision.

0 2

Samuel Monday, 27 October 2025 08:07 AM

Hahaha the Police state is being established in Sri Lanka. If this is done our future generation will progress in the reverse while the rest of the world develops. No country has banned phones at homes, but only in schools.

3 0

Adwani Monday, 27 October 2025 08:31 AM

So far the decisions taken by the present Government is like going to the moon and ploughing the paddy fields, to save the cost of farmers 'umboda' an apron used by the farmers. Since there will be no one to look at our beloved farmers. A phone is an utility, the school must educate them in spare time when to use and when not to use. Mostly, it is the school who shapes the future of students, whether they are above 12 or below.

1 0

Citizens Monday, 27 October 2025 09:07 AM

Good move long over due. School administrator should have contact numbers of all parents and an additional relative in case of an emergency. Online classes started due to the Covid and teachers have taken this as an excuse to send home work via Mobil and not teaching properly during school hours. I agree that times have changed but in our times we didn’t have Mobil phones and today how many graduates and high professionals do we have only by attending school and classes. So this move is good but certain rules likewise parents have to play a big part in this move too. Parents should have the discipline in themselves to say NO when children demand.

0 1

johan Monday, 27 October 2025 09:30 AM

In certain developing countries using internet is disrupted during certain period for individuals but giving access only to working places. So that people will concentrate on their jobs. And also children are prohibited using smart phones for them to concentrate on their studies.

0 0

Willows Drive Monday, 27 October 2025 11:49 AM

Make the age limit to 15 yrs

1 1

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