Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced that the government is studying a proposal to ban students below the age of 16 from using smartphones, in an effort to tackle growing concerns about student discipline and safety.
Speaking to reporters after attending Friday prayers in Putrajaya, Anwar said the influence of social media and online games has become worrying, as it may contribute to unhealthy behaviour among students.
Because of that, the government is exploring the best approach to limit smartphone use among young students.
He explained that several countries have already implemented similar policies, and Malaysia is now looking into what kind of model would suit local needs.
“This has been done in many nations. We are reviewing which model can fit Malaysia best. Parental involvement is also very important,” he said.
According to Berita Harian, the proposal was one of the key recommendations raised during the meeting, alongside efforts to strengthen school security and improve moral and character education to shape students’ values from a young age.
However, he emphasised that the government will not rush into making any decision.
“We must assess carefully before implementing such measures. The goal is to protect our children, not to make their lives more difficult,” he said.
For now, the government is still reviewing the idea, and no formal policy has been announced yet.
