Call to ban mobile phones in schools

KUCHING: Schools have been urged to ban mobile phones to check the use of their cameras to take pictures of students engaging in lewd acts.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng made the call after Bintulu member of parliament Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing reported that there were students recording their lewd acts on mobile phones or digital cameras, with an incident allegedly taking place in a school toilet last year.

"We think mobile phones in schools are becoming a significant problem. It is of concern to schools and it is of concern to parents because the technology is advancing faster than we can react to it," he said after launching a World Children's Day event yesterday.

Yong urged parents not to give their children mobile phones.

"If they have to, then they must be careful and monitor their children's activities.

"A lot of mobile phone abuses have been reported lately. Not only have they been used to record immoral acts, with such advanced technology our children have become vulnerable to Internet materials such as pornography