I forbid students from using cell phones during class, but it is very difficult to do.

I decided to implement a phone ban in more classes, hoping to gradually bring students back to the state of independent learning mindset required.

Students using cell phones in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: Q.D.

At the meeting after the merger, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City announced the conclusion of Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu - Director of the Department, regarding the request for the Student Affairs Department to study a plan to not allow students to use phones, except in some cases.

This information was immediately enthusiastically supported by the majority of parents and public opinion. A short poll on Tuoi Tre Online (as of 6 p.m. on July 10) also recorded 1,319/1,582 opinions, or about 83.3%, agreeing with the ban.

Banning students from using cell phones in school is the right policy, but what solution is needed to make them voluntarily "give up" their phones is the issue that needs to be discussed.

No cell phones, improved learning and thinking

I have clearly witnessed the consequences of students abusing their phones. These include lack of concentration, lack of exercise, decline in direct communication skills, dependence on social networks, and being drawn into many bad and toxic contents.

During some lessons, to suit the content of the lecture, I ask students not to use their phones, so they can solve the given exercises on their own.

However, besides showing impatience when not having a device in hand, many people seem confused because they are used to using their phones to look up information, depending on artificial intelligence applications instead of thinking and analyzing for themselves.

So I decided to ban phones in more classes, hoping to gradually bring students back to the state of independent learning mindset needed.

It was very difficult at first, especially because of the resistance. I had to explain to the students the reason and purpose of banning cell phone use during that class.

The progress of the lectures was also slowed down, it took me more effort to guide you step by step. But as you gradually got used to it, your learning efficiency and independent thinking ability were also improved.

Banning cell phones, even during recess, is necessary for school-age children. However, it should not be the end, but the beginning of a comprehensive educational strategy.

Put down your phone, create a playground, and become a "psychology station" for students.

If you want students to forget about their phones during recess, that time must be filled with real activities where students can play, interact, and live according to their age.

We can renew light exercise spaces, flexible physical playgrounds with a variety of sports : badminton, shuttlecock, basketball, jump rope, mini volleyball...

It is necessary to plan each area and prepare some tools so that children can easily release energy.

You can assign a class or group of students to be in charge of borrowing and returning tools, both to increase awareness of preserving common property and to promote self-management.

For students who do not like sports, we design a creative entertainment area with wooden tables, drawing paper, colored pens, intellectual games such as chess, Chinese chess, Rubik's cube, sudoku, reading corner, stories...

From there, build models of outdoor library clubs, storytellers through pictures, archrivals...

Students today also often have the need to relieve stress. A small "psychology station" with a relaxation corner with sticky notes, a chair, and a mood board can become a healing destination to help them relieve stress and share their worries in a natural way, as a form of gentle therapy.

To avoid boredom, schools also need to organize weekly and monthly themed activities associated with holidays: "Folk Game Week", "Life Skills Exchange Month", " Music Recess", "Gratitude to the Women Around Us"...

Don't do it mechanically or stereotypically.

In fact, the above contents have been implemented in many schools. However, to make these activities practical and long-lasting, it is necessary to create for students the feeling of being "insiders".

In many schools, activities are often assigned by the principal, then imposed and determined on the classes. The class committees continue to implement them mechanically and in a stereotyped manner. Therefore, recess activities, as well as thematic activities, often receive little attention from students.

We should establish a recess activity committee consisting of students from all grades, with moderate observation and support from the Team/Union, mainly letting the students operate on their own. For weekly and monthly activities, students are the ones who propose ideas, make plans, and build playgrounds, while teachers only act as suggestions and give feedback.

Only then can children learn to control themselves, connect with friends, and practice organizational skills.

When empowering students to experience and express their creativity, they will feel respected, increase their confidence, and thus proactively and enthusiastically participate in recess and meaningful group activities.

Families should also have a schedule to avoid each person hugging the phone.

If at school it is forbidden, but at home parents let their children use their phones freely all evening, the effect will not be sustainable. Families also need to "design" their home schedule to increase interaction and communication between members, to build connections, and avoid the situation where each person holds a phone, "immersed" in their own world.

If teachers assign homework and instruct students to communicate through chat groups, parents can watch with their children. This will help children use their phones at a reasonable level, promptly grasp their progress and learning level, and bring family closer together.

Master TRAN XUAN TIEN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/toi-cam-hoc-sinh-dung-dien-thoai-trong-gio-hoc-thuc-hien-rat-kho-khan-20250711140429252.htm