Away with your gadgets: Parents of Fr Agnel schoolkids

It is no secret that social media has taken precedence over academics in the lives of the youth. Nowadays, even schoolkids are becoming increasingly addicted to technology. With this in mind, and at the behest of the school management, parents of a Vashi based school have unanimously agreed to take back the personal cellphones of their children, students of stds X and XII.

Snigdha Roy, the principal of Fr Agnel Multipurpose School and Junior College in Vashi, explained how the authorities floated the idea to parents. "We understand the need for technology for youngsters, but fear that excessive usage can have a harmful effect on them at such a young age," she said.

The principal added: "All we are asking is to keep kids from using a personal phone, which will give way to some amount of supervision. This will help the students concentrate on their stds X and XII exams."

Understandably, parents have welcomed this suggestion, seeing as they feel their kids do not 'interact properly' at home. Chitra Rodrigo, the parent of a student of std X at the school, said that it is essential that children go out and indulge in sporting activities, as well as communicate properly and not 'remain within the four walls of the house'.

She added: "It is the peer pressure that plays an important role in children asking for high-end smart phones, but with the school barring the use of cellphones, it will be a boon for us as well."

Meanwhile, Fr S Almeida, director, Fr Agnel Institute, said that the intervention from school will help the kids to focus on academics and sports, and keep them away from strangers on the internet.

"We have also been conducting many seminars for students that focus on the increasing cyber crime instances amongst teenagers and the ill effects of social media," he said.

Raghav Narsalay, the parent of another student of std X echoed Rodrigo's sentiments, saying that children nowadays use apps which do not add any value. "Students can always use our phones if need be, and this (move) will help us to supervise them as well."

Salma Prabhu, a Navi Mumbai based clinical psychologist, also supported the move, saying: "It is the children who have provoked the school to take such a step. The decision will definitely affect them as they are vulnerable to even the slightest change in lifestyle. However, if kept busy with other activities, they will get used to this change as well."