State Regulation of Phone Use by Children

An article here states that the State Government of Karnataka in India has announced a ban on the use of mobile phones by children under the age of 16 years. The reason given is that some information has been made available which suggests that such use has adversely affected cognitive abilities of students.

Now, I am deeply skeptical of this populist policy announcement for two main reasons. To start with, a 16 year old in India is unlikely to have sufficient income to acquire a mobile phone without the contribution and approval of ownership by a parent or guardian. Unless guardians are willing to police the youngsters, the enforcement of these regulations will be nigh impossible. The regulation of the use of that gadget should rest entirely with that guardian and all that may be required of public authorities is to ask schools to limit its use during lessons.

Secondly, the supposed studies upon which the prohibition is based make very bold assertions that are most likely exaggerated. Mobile phone use has been examined for the effects claimed and there has never been any reason to justify such draconian rules.

That the purported ban has not been accompanied by real sanctions yet is probably a good thing for there ought to be no sanctions from the state regarding this matter. This story merely illustrates the tendency for regulators to desire to control and regulate matters out of scaring the public with risks that are neither real nor established. So what happens when one gets to 17 years?