Ban smartphones among pupils

After Ngudzeni Inkhundla recorded 60 cases of teenage pregnancy last year, Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla says smartphones should be banned amongst teenagers.

She said parents should avoid at all costs giving their children cellphones.
“Asikugweme,” she said.

The DPM added that children had been ‘corrupted’ by phones.
“Social media, including certain applications, teach children wayward things that were happening in Gomorrah and Sodom,” she said.

Dladla was speaking during a teenage pregnancy awareness campaign held at Ngudzeni FEA Sports Ground yesterday.

Prior to the DPM’s visit, Ngudzeni Member of Parliament Charles Ndlovu revealed that, in the past year alone, 60 children were reported to have fallen pregnant in two clinics within the constituency.

Ndlovu said at New Haven Clinic, three pregnancies were recorded among children aged between 10 and 14, while 33 were among those aged 15 to 19.

At Ntshanini Clinic, one case was recorded among children aged 10 to 14, while 23 were among those aged between 15 and 19.

In her remarks, Dladla urged parents to delay giving children their first phones, saying they monopolise their attention at the expense of family life.

The DPM noted that children with smartphones over time get fixated on their gadgets and interact less with other family members, including parents.

She lamented the way smartphones had replaced proper parenting. She observed that nowadays children spend a lot of time browsing their phones, instead of getting guidance from their parents.

She said the sad part was that parents, after giving their children smartphones, neglect guiding and educating them about what they could consume online.

Dladla advised parents against giving children mobile phones, saying they exposed them to inappropriate material which could influence them to experiment prematurely.

She further urged parents, particularly mothers, to create ‘safe spaces’ within their homes to engage in meaningful conversations with their children.

“Make sure that smartphones don’t replace face-to-face time with parents as it used to happen back in the days when the concepts of Liguma and Lisango were used,” she warned.

Dladla said the solution to teenage pregnancy may as well rest in reviving such traditional concepts.

She also emphasised on the importance of educating boys about adulthood and respect.

She said parents had neglected their responsibilities and were no longer spending enough time with their children.

She added that many children were now constantly on their phones, accessing harmful content without parental awareness.

Dladla also stressed the importance of proper upbringing, including ensuring that boys and girls do not share bedrooms, so they can grow up with discipline and prepare for future family life.

“The children should be taught to respect other people. The reason why we are occupying the positions that we hold today is because we prioritised education above everything. Bafana batakusoma ungase ucale uvume,” she said.

She encouraged young girls to report boys who propose romantic relationships to them, warning that such relationships often lead to early sexual activity.

She said it was concerning that even girls as young as nine years were falling pregnant.

She urged children to focus on their education and pursue their dreams.

The DPM also appreciated the inkhundla council and the chiefdom for taking the initiative in addressing teenage pregnancy.

She commended the MP for inviting her to the event, noting that upon receiving the invitation, she made it a priority to attend.

She added that some members of the public had taken heed of messages previously delivered by Their Majesties on teenage pregnancy during the opening of the Third Session of the 12th Parliament.

Dladla said her office was mandated to address such social challenges and was already working on solutions to curb teenage pregnancy.

“Ngudzeni was ready, and we appreciate that, especially the women who took the lead in guiding children so that they can become the best they can be.

“Let us advise both boys and girls not to have children before marriage, as this may affect their future families. Parents must also make it clear that they do not expect grandchildren outside marriage. Asingawujaki umdzaka litulu lingakani,” she said.

She further noted that while hormonal changes were a natural part of growing up, young people needed guidance to make responsible decisions.