Banning young students from using cell phones during non-class hours, like lunch break, infringes upon their human rights, the state rights watchdog said Wednesday, disapproving moves by local schools and teachers' organizations to closely regulate students' on-campus wireless communications.
A 17-year-old girl, whose name was withheld, filed a petition with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in May of last year, claiming that her boarding school's excessive cell phone restriction violates her human rights. She said her school collects phones from students and allows them access to their phones only between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., after all regular classes end and before self-study hour begins.
"It is excessive and beyond the limit that (schools) ban cell phones for study purposes or times other than regular class hours, self-study hours and sleeping time," the NHRC said.
It also said that putting too many limitations on cell phone usage infringes upon students' privacy and freedom of communication.
Prior to the decision, the rights panel in 2008 recommended that schools reconsider the complete ban on cell phone possession on campus, saying it is excessive to block students from taking their cell phones to school.