19. The Ministry of Education released (发布) a notice in 2021 that restricts (限制) primary and middle school students from carrying mobile phones to school. The policy aims to improve students' focus оn ѕtudу аnd fight addition (沉迷) tо the internet and games.
According to a 2020 report by the China Internet Network Information Center, China had 175 million internet users under the age of 18 in 2019. This is worrying, as long-time use of smartphones harms children's eyesight, cervical vertebrae (颈椎) and even the brain, according to the World Health Organization. Many schools in Beijing have taken measures to limit students' phone use at school. According to Zhou Dandan, an English teacher at Beijing No. 20 High School, every classroom in her school has a box to store students' phones during class.
Li Jisen, a student from Beijing 101 Middle School, agrees with the new policy. Li believes that regulating phone use at school is the only way to put the focus back on schoolwork.
However, Liu Yanping, principal (校长) of First Branch of Beijing National Day School, told South China Morning Post that it is unwise to take a "one size fits all" approach (一刀切的方法).
Kathy Chen, a parent from Shanghai, allowed her daughter to take her phone to school. Chen said it's more important to cultivate (培养) kids' ability to self-manage and develop good habits of phone usage.
Notice on phone use at school |
Target group | Primary and middle school students |
Aim | *To restrict students from (1) mobile phones to school; *To improve students' focus on study; *To prevent students from getting addicted to the internet and games; *To protect students' (2) , cervical vertebrae and the brain. |
People's (3) | Li Jisen: The rules will help put the focus back on schoolwork. Liu Yanping: It is not (4) to take a "one size fits all" approach. Kathy Chen: It is more important to help kids develop good habits and the (5) to self-manage. |