Survey shows 76% of Filipinos back cellphone ban in schools—Gatchalian

Eight out of 10 Filipinos are open to the proposal banning the use of mobile phones in schools, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Tuesday, August 6.

Gatchalian cited a Pulse Asia survey commissioned by his office which shows that 76 percent of the respondents are in favor of his proposition.

The senator is referring to Senate Bill No. 2706 or the proposed Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act, which primarily seeks to prohibit students from using mobile devices and electronic gadgets within school premises during school hours. 

Senate Bill No. 2706 covers kindergarten to senior high school students.

Based on the results of the survey conducted from June 17 to 24, 2024, 76 percent of 1,200 adult respondents nationwide agree with having a cellphone ban inside schools. 

Thirteen (13) percent disagree with the proposition, while 11 percent say they neither agree or disagree. 

The proposal got the strongest support from A, B and C (80 percent) socio-economic class. Seventy-six (76) of the respondents from Class D also support Gatchalian’s suggestion, while 71 percent from Class E also support the proposal.

According to Gatchalian, the results of the survey show that Filipinos are aware of the benefits of imposing a ban on cellphone use in schools, particularly in boosting a student’s performance. 

“Malinaw na suportado ng ating mga kababayan ang ating panukala na ipagbawal ang paggamit ng mga cellphones sa mga paaralan, lalo’t na’t ang paggamit nito sa oras ng klase ay maaaring makapinsala sa kanilang pag-aaral (Our people have clearly supported our proposal to ban the use of cellphones in schools, especially since their use during class can harm their studies),” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

The same survey also show that a vast majority support banning cellphones in schools, with around eight out of 10 respondents in the National Capital Region (80%),  Luzon (79%), and Mindanao (81%) agreeing to the proposal. 

Six out of 10 (61%) of respondents from Visayas, on the other hand, also agree with the intention of Senate Bill No. 

Citing an analysis of the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) by the Senate Committee on Basic Education, the senator said eight (8) out of 10 Filipino learners aged 15 reported being distracted in class by using their smartphones. 

Another eight (8) out of 10 also reported being distracted when other students use mobile phones. 

“Kaya naman patuloy nating isinusulong ang panukalang batas na magbabawal sa paggamit ng cellphone sa oras ng klase (That is why, we continue to promote the bill that will ban the use of cellphones during class),” the senator stressed.