A village in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal District has taken a drastic step to combat mobile addiction among children. A village in Pusad district’s Yavatmal district called Bansi was the gram Sabha. It unanimously passed a resolution, on November 11, to ban mobile use by children and teens below 18 years. According to TOI, the Gram Sabha also decided to impose a Rs 200 fine on violators to ensure that the resolution is implemented effectively.
Gajanan Tale from Bansi told TOI that children could use their mobiles during the COVID epidemic because they had to go online classes. Teenagers developed a dependence on mobile phones, which led to them using unwanted apps and disrupting their studies.
PR Ade, gram panchayat secretary, stated that “we were aware of it” and brought a resolution to the gram Sabha on November 11. This resolution was unanimously passed. He stated that children under 18 years old would not be permitted to use mobile phones and that anyone found using mobile would be subject to a Rs 200 fine.
Villagers support the ban on mobile phones, and they hope that it will encourage good habits in students.
Villagers Ashish Deshmukh and Nitin Dange welcomed the decision. They said that it would allow the children enough time to focus on their studies.
Ashish, a student under the age of 18, said to TOI that it was an excellent way to instill good habits among students.
Meanwhile, the parents also expressed happiness over the decision and said they would be vigilant about their children and ensure they don’t use mobile phones. This could be the first village to ban mobile phone use in the state.
The decision was also praised by residents of nearby villages, who said the increased use of mobile phones is causing teenagers to commit other crimes. They also said that mobile phones can reduce human relationships.
A similar decision was made by a village in Maharashtra’s Sangli District two months ago to undergo a digital detox. According to PTI, a siren sounds every night at 7 p.m. in Mohityanche Vadgaon. This is to remind people to leave their smartphones and other electronic devices behind for 1.5 hours.
A siren sounds every day from a temple in the area at 7 p.m., signaling people to turn off their phones and televisions, to read books, study, and talk with each other. The second alarm is at 8.30 p.m., which signals the end to the detox period.
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