Total coverage - Kanessa Muluneh - to date
April 22, 2025
Gulf News
Dubai children speak out: Do they really need phones in school — and why it matters or doesn’t
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159k
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159k/daypowered by
- Reader engagement
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53
- Brand mentions
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3
- Coverage:
- Earned
- Editorial:
- Human Interest
- Tone:
- Positive
A seven-year-old’s perspective
It was quite heartwarming to listen to an exchange between Dubai-based Kanessa Muluneh, a serial entrepreneur and her seven-year-old son, Memphsis, who has a phone too. “I have an old phone,” the child said, stretching out the ‘old’ emphatically. Muluneh explained to him that phones might not be allowed now in many schools. What did he feel about it? In a rather matter-of-fact way, Memphis answered, “Yes, if you bring a phone everytime, they should take it. If you’re playing games on it, they need to be strict about it.” Does he feel safe without a phone? “Little bit,” he answered, but acknowledging that he also would like it, to call his parents. It’s a double-edged sword. Many parents—and even children—acknowledge that having a phone at school can be useful for staying in touch with parents about logistics or emergencies. At the same time, they agree it shouldn’t be used freely in the classroom, where it can become a distraction from learning. Ultimately, the debate isn’t about banning phones entirely, but finding the right balance: allowing communication when necessary while keeping classrooms focused and productive. As the perspectives of students, parents, and even younger children show, thoughtful regulation—not outright restriction—may be the key to managing phones in schools.
| Scope | International |
|---|---|
| Market | Consumer |
| Domain authority | 89 /100 |
| Domain authority rank | Excellent |
| Facebook shares | 23 |
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| Facebook reactions | 22 |
| Facebook comments | 8 |