Use of mobile phones banned for children below 18 years in this village

Mobile phones, especially smartphones, have become an inseparable part of everyone’s life. One cannot imagine even a day without a cellphone. 

However, the smart gadget that enable us to remain connected with the world has some adverse effect on our lives too. Frequent use of the smartphone often leads to addiction, particularly among children. 

Besides affecting studies of children, cellphone use also affects their mental health in the long run. Keeping in view the cellphone addition among children, a village in Maharashtra has banned use of cellphone by children below the age of 18 years.

As per media reports, the decision was taken by the gram sabha of Bansi village located in Pusad tehsil of Yavatmal district in Maharashtra. The decision was unanimously supported by the villagers. 

The gram sabha said if anyone below the prescribed age is caught using cellphone at the village, he/she will have to cough up penalty. The village panel has fixed Rs 200 penalty for violation of the rules. 

“Children were allowed to use mobiles during the COVID pandemic as they had to take online classes. But gradually, teenagers became addicted to it, which has not only affected their studies but also led to the use of unwanted applications,” Gajanan Tale, Sarpanch of Bansi village told The Times of India.

"We were aware of it and hence brought a resolution in the gram sabha held on November 11 which passed it unanimously," said gram panchayat secretary PR Ade.