The Coaching Federation Punjab, led by its president Prof MP Singh, held a press conference today, urging the government to impose a nationwide ban on smartphones for students under the age of 18. The federation has also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar, calling for a law to regulate smartphone use among minors.

Prof Singh highlighted the growing concern over smartphone addiction among students, citing the phenomenon of ‘Nomophobia’ – the fear of being without a mobile phone. He expressed alarm over the negative impact smartphones are having on the mental, emotional and social development of children and teenagers.

“Smartphones provide unfettered access to the internet, where children can easily fall prey to cyber bullying, exposure to inappropriate content and social media pressures,” Singh said.

He said the federation's demand comes in the wake of increasing evidence, suggesting that excessive smartphone use is detrimental to the cognitive and social skills of young people. He stressed that early exposure to smartphones inhibits the development of critical life skills such as empathy, problem-solving and impulse control. “Young children, especially those between the ages of 4 and 7, are particularly vulnerable. They are at a critical stage of brain development and overexposure to screens can cause long-term damage, including lower cognitive abilities and impaired attention span,” he said.

Another federation member, Prof Jaspreet Singh, pointed out that the excessive screen time, particularly on social media, is linked to the higher rate of anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts among teenagers. “We have seen a disturbing rise in mental health issues among students, much of which can be attributed to their addiction to smartphones and social media,” he said.

The federation’s memorandum urges the government to take steps to safeguard the mental and emotional well-being of young students. It points out that several countries have already introduced laws or policies to restrict smartphone use among minors.

In the United Kingdom, France, Norway and the Netherlands, smartphones are banned in schools and some countries like Russia have recommended that children under 18 should not use cellphones at all.

The memorandum emphasised that the need for such regulations is urgent, given that many children are increasingly using smartphones from a very young age. “We need a law that prevents children below 18 from owning or using smartphones, ensuring that they focus on their education, physical activities and real-life social interactions," it reads.