Mumbai School Act On Phone Addiction Criticised Online: ‘You Are Just Traumatising The Kids’

“It escalated too fast,” said Parul Gulati. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

In today’s era, children are becoming increasingly addicted to mobile phones. From scrolling through reels to playing games, many are spending excessive amounts of time on smartphones. This overuse is taking a toll not only on their mental well-being but also on their physical health. To highlight this growing issue, a Mumbai-based school named Scholars Educare recently staged a controversial classroom act, which has since sparked widespread backlash.

The awareness activity, aimed at curbing excessive screen time, has faced widespread criticism for employing fear-based tactics that many consider inappropriate for young children.

The video, posted on the school’s official Instagram handle, shows three teachers demonstrating the consequences of mobile overuse. While one is dressed as a child, mimicking mobile-addicted behaviour, the other two portray a parent and a doctor.

What Is In The Video?

The video begins with a teacher dressed as a child, endlessly scrolling on her phone and ignoring her meals. When her mother takes the phone away, she becomes irritable and only eats once it is returned. As the video progresses, the character begins to experience severe eye pain and discomfort, highlighting the physical effects of excessive mobile phone use.

Another teacher enters the scene as a doctor, examines the eye, administers an injection, and blood appears to pour from the eye, implying permanent damage and potential loss of vision.

Shocked and visibly emotional, the children watching the act can be seen crying when teachers ask them if they want to use the phone. At the end, the teachers concluded with a stern message, “No mobile phones, please.”

How Did Viewers React?

The video quickly garnered attention, sparking a wave of reactions from social media users. While some users praised the bold attempt to address a serious issue, many slammed the presentation as emotionally harmful and exaggerated.

Among the many reactions were those of actress Riddhima Pandit and entrepreneur Parul Gulati. Riddhima reacted with laughing emoticons, commenting, “Main bhi nahi dekhungi.”

“Wow…. It escalated too fast,” Parul Gulati wrote.

“Powerful message showing kids the dangers of mobile addiction early,” read a comment.

Another wrote, “One of the best videos ever. We need this type of video because in this generation, mom and dad give mobiles easily to children. Don’t do this.”

“This is absolutely horrendous! Educate and empower the parents of these little ones. You’re traumatising in a place where they’re actually supposed to be feeling safe and heard. Screens are not harmful! Teach parents about boundaries and limits,” commented someone.

A user remarked, “Not sure if using unscientific and false demonstrations to instil deep fear in young minds is a good way to teach. Overusing and mobile addiction are real, but it’s also a necessary tool; a balanced perspective is needed.”

“Glad to see that activities as to protect children from the new phone era… I’m seeing children nowadays who scroll reel any other app, etc. May every school use this technique in school. Glad to see it keep growing,” a comment read.

A Wake-Up Call Or Blunder?

While the intent behind the act may have been to create awareness, the execution has raised serious concerns. Many pointed out that while mobile overuse is indeed a problem, using unscientific and fear-inducing portrayals isn’t the right solution.