AGRA/LUCKNOW, Feb. 7 -- Following the recent deaths of three sisters in Ghaziabad, the State Women Commission (SWC) chairperson Babita Chauhan, in a letter to district magistrates across the state on Friday, stressed the need for 'digital discipline' for students and called for restrictions on the use of mobile phones by students up to Class 5 in schools. "Through these letters, the need has been emphasised to curb the use of and dependence on mobile phones for day-to-day academic activities, including class homework, projects and information, which teachers should communicate to parents of students," Chauhan said. The practice of online classes via mobile phones was encouraged due to limited options during the COVID-19 pandemic, but despite the end of the pandemic, many schools continue to communicate homework, assignments, and other academic activities through WhatsApp and other digital platforms, she stated. Chauhan has asked DMs to issue directives to schools to ensure that teachers do not assign homework to students below class 5 through mobile phones.Describing mobile gaming addiction as deadly, she sought regulation of educational activities."Because of the use of mobiles for academic work, children are being exposed to mobile phones at an early age, even though they are unable to cope with their effects. This is leading to excessive mobile use and unchecked gaming, which is negatively impacting primary school students," she stated. The death of the girls in Ghaziabad, allegedly by suicide, is shocking incident that raises serious questions, said Babita Chauhan, noting that addiction to mobile games among young children is a matter of concern. htc...