Thailand to limit school device use over developmental concerns

Thailand’s Education Ministry is preparing to curtail the use of digital devices in schools, citing concerns over the developmental impact on young students.

Caretaker Education Minister Police General Permpoon Chidchob highlighted yesterday, August 19, that numerous students are bringing smartphones, tablets, and similar devices to school, spending considerable time on them.

Research indicates that excessive use of these devices hampers students’ ability to concentrate during classes and diminishes their cognitive abilities over time.

A number of countries have already taken steps to manage student access to these devices during school hours. Some have even banned students under 16 from using them in educational settings.

Police General Permpoon also expressed concerns about the emotional health of young people due to over-reliance on technology. In Thailand, research has corroborated the negative effects of technology on children’s brain and intelligence development.

Children who engage in screen time for six and a half hours or more daily tend to have a lower IQ compared to their peers who spend less time on these devices. They are also at risk of developing shorter attention spans and slower learning, reported Bangkok Post.

The Office of the Education Council recommended measures to reduce young students’ dependency on communication devices by introducing more extracurricular activities such as music lessons, sports, and exercises. To enhance students’ attention spans, schools will organise more reading and storytelling sessions. Additionally, parents will be encouraged to spend quality time with their children, the minister added.

Pol Gen Permpoon revealed that research has found that the overuse of such devices inhibits young people’s ability to stay focused during class and slows their intelligence in the long term.

“Over-reliance on technology also raises concerns over young people’s emotional health.”

“We can say that the education ministry’s plan aims to strike a balance between technology use and other developmental activities, ensuring that students can grow intellectually and emotionally in a healthy environment.”