Having reported only yesterday on the suggestion of one researcher to proactively introduce Mobiles into schools as a learning tool, I now present for you a complete paradigm-shift in terms of the approach of the Japanese to the issue of kids with phones. Before you continue, it’s worth bearing in mind that Japan is one of, if not the most, advanced countries in the world as regards this tech..!
Japanese children should be prevented from using their mobile phones for anything other than talking to protect them from harmful influences, according to an advisory panel to the government.
The panel is already calling on schools and parents to take a much greater role in controlling the services children can access, reports the AFP, but ultimately sees no reason why children need to use a phone for more than speaking into.
The concerns are the usual bugbears: anonymous bullying via bulletin boards, and access to inappropriate material. Apparently only about one per cent of children have some form of content blocker in place, while a third of primary school (7-12) children have mobiles, a figure that rises to 96 per cent once they reach secondary.
Personally I can’t see Japan really enforcing this ban, and certainly there would be the not insignificant logistical issues of how this would be done – but it’s an interesting reflection of some of the thinking going on in a very Mobile-advanced country.
[Via: The Register]