KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18, 2025: The recent rise in violent incidents among students has reignited debate on whether gadgets and smartphones should be banned in schools.
On one side, educators and parents argue that mobile phones are a distraction, fuelling cyberbullying and even becoming tools to record or spread violent acts.
“Smartphones can amplify aggression — what used to be a private fight now becomes viral content,” said one teacher.
Others caution against placing the blame entirely on gadgets. Education experts point out that violence often stems from deeper issues such as family stress, peer pressure, or lack of emotional support systems in schools. Phones, they argue, act more as triggers than root causes.
Parents, meanwhile, remain divided. Some see gadgets as essential for safety and learning, while others fear overexposure to harmful online content. “I want my child to have a phone in case of emergencies, but I also worry about misuse,” said a mother of two secondary school students.
Many suggest a middle ground: allowing gadgets with restrictions, strengthening digital literacy programmes, and prioritising counselling and character-building efforts. “The solution is not just banning phones — it’s teaching students how to use them responsibly,” said an education researcher.
As the debate continues, one thing remains clear: school violence cannot be solved by a ban alone. The challenge goes beyond gadgets — it lies in addressing the social, emotional, and cultural factors shaping young Malaysians today.
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