By: Austin Orogun

The recent decision by the Chairman of Udu Local Government Area, Olorogun (Hon.) Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode JP, FCIA, to ban the use of smartphones by students in schools has drawn mixed reactions. While some critics view the move as harsh or backward, I write from the standpoint of an ICT teacher — someone deeply aware of both the benefits and hidden dangers of technology — to strongly support this proactive and protective measure.

Smartphones, though useful, are powerful tools that can easily be misused in the hands of young and inexperienced students, especially in the absence of strict digital guidance. Below are real-life, unthinkable ways students have misused smartphones within school environments, justifying the need for firm regulation or outright prohibition.

1. Cyberbullying

Students often use messaging apps and social media platforms to harass, mock, or threaten their classmates anonymously or openly. This leads to emotional trauma, depression, and even self-harm in severe cases. No one likes this. 

2. Accessing Pornography and Violent Content

Unregulated internet access makes it easy for students to view adult content or violent videos during school hours. This corrupts their moral foundation and encourages inappropriate behaviour at a young age.

3. Exam Malpractice and Cheating

The use of smartphones by students within the school environment enable students to cheat during exams by searching answers online, sharing content through messaging apps, or even snapping photos of exam questions to send to others. This destroys the credibility of the education system.

4. Sexting and Online Sexual Exploitation

One of the darkest risks is the involvement in sexting—students exchanging inappropriate images or messages. These can be leaked or used for blackmail, exposing students to online predators and irreversible damage to minds.

5. Addictive Gaming and Online Gambling

Students frequently install and play addictive games, and some are introduced to online betting and gambling platforms, spending money or stealing to fund their habits. This leads to addiction, poor academic performance, and risky behaviour.

6. Secretly Recording Teachers or Classmates

It is now common for students to secretly record teachers or fellow students, sometimes with the intent to mock, manipulate, or publish content online. This violates privacy and creates a culture of fear and mistrust.

7. Spreading Misinformation and Fake News

With access to unverified information, students can easily spread rumours, fake news, or conspiracy theories, especially during tense moments such as school elections, public health emergencies, or social disputes.

8. Organising Fights, Pranks, or School Disruptions

Group chats and social platforms are often used by students to plan fights, pranks, or coordinate disobedience, resulting in chaos, injuries, or suspension of academic activities.

9. Social Media Addiction

Prolonged smartphone use encourages obsession with social media, leading to low self-esteem, anxiety, and poor concentration. Students compare themselves to unrealistic online personas (what they call “Role Model”) and lose focus on their educational goals.

10. Decline in Academic Focus and Laziness

Instead of using smartphones for learning, students become overly dependent on search engines for assignments and avoid critical thinking. Even in class, they are often distracted by messages, videos, and games.

11. Joining Harmful Online Challenges or Cult Groups

Students have been known to join dangerous online challenges that promote self-harm, violence, or even criminal acts. Some get lured into cult-related or extremist digital communities.

12. Using Phones to Skip Classes or Lie to Parents

Students easily falsify their whereabouts, contact parents with misleading updates, or leave school unnoticed. This endangers their safety and reduces accountability.

13. Sharing Offensive or Illegal Materials

Students may engage in sharing graphic videos, hate speech, or illegal downloads, putting themselves and the school at risk of legal consequences.

14. Accessing the Dark Web or Hacking Tools

Some curious or misguided students attempt to explore the dark web or use hacking apps, exposing school networks to security breaches or malware.

15. Creating or Engaging in Hate Speech or Online Discrimination

Using social media platforms, students may express tribal, religious, or political hatred, spreading division and hostility among their peers.

Countries with Policies Banning or Restricting Smartphone Use in Schools

Several developed countries have already introduced policies to ban or restrict smartphone use by students in schools to control misuse. These include:

1. France

2. Italy

3. United Kingdom

4. Australia

5. Canada

Conclusion

Smartphones offer learning opportunities, however their unrestricted use by students in school is a threat to discipline, safety, and academic excellence. The Local Government Chairman’s action is not only justified but necessary. It serves as a protective wall against technological dangers that most young learners are not equipped to handle responsibly.

Instead of criticism, the move deserves support, improvement, and complementing policies, such as digital literacy training, supervised ICT use, and the introduction of school-controlled devices for educational purposes only.

Austin Orogun  is Maltina Teacher of the year, 2020; CESVO; An ICT Teacher.

Wado Admin

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