Kwun Tong Maryknoll College in Hong Kong has temporarily postponed plans to introduce stricter mobile phone regulations following a strong pushback from students. The Catholic boys’ secondary school intended to require students to place their phones in lockers on each floor and prohibit gaming near the school entrance, with violations resulting in demerits. However, concerns raised by pupils, including a petition spearheaded by Form Five student James Chan, prompted the school to reconsider the policy.
Chan and fellow students described the proposed measures as overly stringent and impractical, citing potential congestion at locker stations and the reliance on phones for functions such as online lunch orders. While acknowledging occasional use of phones during class to alleviate boredom, Chan emphasized that students understood the impact of device use on academic performance and took personal responsibility for their habits.
Principal Caroline Sin Nga-lam confirmed that the phone locker policy was under review, with ongoing consultations involving parents and students. The school had initially planned a trial run targeting younger students before extending the rules more broadly.
The debate over mobile phone use in schools reflects a wider international discourse. In England, a government mandate came into effect on June 29 requiring state-funded schools to ban smartphone use during school hours. Similarly, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently proposed a social media ban for children under 16, modeled after Australia’s restrictions introduced in late 2025.
In Hong Kong, Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin has urged schools to enforce mobile phone regulations fairly, reasonably, and with respect for student dignity. Ng Wun-kit, principal of Pui Kiu Middle School and a lawmaker, emphasized that phone policies should be tailored by individual schools, taking into account practical considerations such as students’ need to use phones for public transportation convenience and parental contact.
Some students, like Ginny Wong of Po Leung Kuk Yao Ling Sun College, anticipate upcoming restrictions that require locking phones away during school hours. Wong reported average daily screen times of six hours on weekdays, primarily on social media and educational apps, noting general student cooperation and lax enforcement under current rules.
Parents and educators continue to express concerns about excessive phone use and its effects on youth well-being. Terrance Nam, acting chairman of the Kowloon City District Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations, stressed the importance of clear communication between schools and families when implementing phone policies. Meanwhile, Robert Board, founder of Look Up Hong Kong, advocates for delaying smartphone access until around age 14 to safeguard childhood experiences, highlighting workshops aimed at improving digital literacy among parents and students.
Hong Kong authorities are also considering broader measures to address the mental health impacts of social media. The government announced plans to update guidelines related to screen use among children and adolescents by 2026, based on expert advisory committee recommendations. Health experts warn that high levels of phone use may contribute to addiction, cognitive changes, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Dr. Cindy Lau Gin-yee of the Chinese University noted that instant rewards from social media platforms can lead to addictive behaviours, making restrictive policies difficult to enforce without gradual parental and institutional support. Social scientist Annis Fung Lai-chu recommended a collaborative approach between teachers and students to set reasonable boundaries, cautioning against abrupt bans that lack student engagement. Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai, director of the HKU Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, highlighted extreme cases linking phone addiction to severe social withdrawal and suicide risks, urging government intervention to provide official guidance rather than relying solely on schools.
A 2022 survey of nearly 3,000 Hong Kong students revealed significant levels of prolonged screen use, with over 40 percent watching videos uninterrupted for more than five hours and nearly 13 percent showing signs of online gaming addiction. The report also underscored high prevalence rates of depressive and anxiety symptoms among youth.
Students like Wong warned that strict phone bans without clear explanation or dialogue could lead to covert phone use and resistance. The ongoing debate in Hong Kong reflects the global challenge of balancing the benefits and risks of mobile phone use among young people within educational settings.