K'taka bans use of Cell phones by children upto 16 years of age

Bangalore, Sept 11 (UNI) Use of cellular phones by school children upto 16 years of age (upto pre-university) was banned with immediate effect by the Karnataka Government today.

Speaking to newsmen Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj S Horatti and Health and Family Welfare Minister R Ashok said a circular banning use of cellular phones by children would be issued in a day or two. The ban was applicable to government, private and aided educational institutions, they clarified.

The School authorities would be empowered to seize the cell phones if used in the schools by children, they added.

The Ministers appealed to the parents not to encourage use of cell phones by children at home. Mr Ashok, quoting an expert opinion, said regular use of cell phones by children would affect their ears and heart in the long term.

UNI