File photo for reference only

 

In a major move aimed at enhancing student focus and well-being, Ho Chi Minh City plans to prohibit mobile phone use in schools starting with the 2025–2026 academic year. This includes a ban during break times unless teachers explicitly allow it.

 

Nguyen Van Hieu, director of the city's Department of Education and Training, spearheads this initiative to curb digital distractions, promote physical activity, and encourage in-person interactions. Schools will also develop structured activities like sports and team games to stimulate student engagement and wellness.

 

Early adopters of phone bans report promising outcomes. Students initially showed resistance, but many later exhibited improved focus during lessons and increased peer interaction during breaks. An October 2024 survey revealed robust community support, with 83% of nearly 3,600 participants favouring the ban.

 

Currently, national policy permits phone use during lessons if teachers approve, without restrictions on usage during breaks. The proposed policy in Ho Chi Minh City marks a notable shift, which could inspire similar changes across Vietnam.

 

Concerns Over Screen Addiction

 

A 2023 UNESCO study across 14 countries highlighted how smartphones negatively impact students' academic focus and emotional health. Excessive use can lead to anxiety and depression, hindering learning engagement.

 

Childhood is increasingly affected by smartphone and social media addiction, often leading to mental health challenges. Experts suggest reforms such as phone-free school environments, delaying smartphone introduction until secondary education, restricting social media until age 16, and fostering real-world independence.

 

UNESCO advocates for limiting smartphone use in schools to reduce classroom disruptions and protect children from online threats like cyberbullying.

 

Globally, countries such as France, Greece, Hungary, and Denmark have enacted stricter rules governing phone use in educational settings, reflecting a growing trend towards digital detox in schools.

 

With these planned measures, Ho Chi Minh City aims to create a more focused, interactive, and healthy learning environment for its students, potentially setting a benchmark for education systems worldwide.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-07-14

 

 

The same idea is being mooted in the UK but mainly to protect the pupils from extreme pornography.

Phones are still legal in schools if the schools permit them.

https://www.gbnews.com/news/school-phone-ban-parents-launch-legal-action