Banning Smartphones For Under 16s Unrealistic Doesn T Address Root Causes Of School Violence

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THE government’s proposal to ban the use of smartphones among teenagers under 16 as a means to combat school violence may be well-intentioned but it is both unrealistic and misdirected, said an MCA leader.
In pointing out that the move neither addresses the symptoms not the root causes of the problem, MCA Youth secretary-general Saw Yee Fung noted that this reflects a concerning tendency to apply “simplistic solutions” to deeply complex issues.
“Instead of tackling underlying issues, the government appears to be shifting blame onto technology, as though smartphones are the root of student misconduct,” she remarked.
“Let’s consider the logic. If a student were negatively influenced by a book or television programme, would we then prohibit reading or watching TV? Of course not! Yet this is the same flawed reasoning being applied to smartphone use.”
Saw was responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent announcement that Putrajaya is studying a proposal to prohibit the use of smartphones among students aged 16 and below in schools.
On Oct 17, he told reporters after performing Friday prayers that this was among three proposals discussed by the Cabinet to address school safety issues, including bullying and rising criminal cases involving students.
He said the government has found that the influence of social media and online games can sometimes lead to criminal behaviour, adding that the proposal is, however, still being studied.
Driving harmful content underground
Calling the proposal a one-size-fits-all approach to a nuanced problem, Saw stressed that banning phones in schools will not eliminate bullying or violence, and likewise, restricting under-16s from social media doesn’t stop harmful content.
“It simply drives it underground. In today’s fast-paced digital world, where information is everywhere, blocking technology is both futile and outdated,” she emphasised.
“Targeting smartphones oversimplifies a much larger educational and social challenge. More worryingly, it reveals a lack of depth and forward-thinking from the Ministry of Education (MOE).”
Reforms, not restriction
Saw said if the government is serious about addressing school violence, it must reform the education system itself, and this means improving the school environment, prioritising mental health, strengthening counselling services, and embedding emotional literacy into the curriculum.
“The real issue isn’t smartphones but weak support structures, poor communication between schools and families, and an ongoing neglect of students’ emotional well-being,” she rationalised.
“In an age driven by information and artificial intelligence, education must evolve. Our goal should not be to shield students from information but to guide them through it. Help them build critical thinking, digital discernment, and sound judgement.”
Saw further pointed out that the MOE should lead in promoting media literacy, not “drag students back into a pre-digital era”.
“If someone misuses a knife, do we ban all knives? Applying that same flawed logic to smartphones is equally irrational. The world is moving forward, yet our education policy risks holding students back from the very tools they need to succeed,” she continued.
“MCA Youth urges the MOE not to rely on knee-jerk bans that offer only the illusion of safety. What we truly need is bold, long-term reform: a modernised, inclusive education system that prepares students for the real world—both academically and emotionally.” ‒  Focus Malaysia

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