Uttarakhand school's dramatic anti-phone skit leaves students sobbing in fear

At a small village school in Uttarakhand’s Khatima, a warning about mobile phone addiction was staged so dramatically that the scene initially looked like the aftermath of a serious accident.

Children were shown as patients with eye problems, while some scenes depicted blindness and even eyes being removed, all as part of an “anti-mobile activity” aimed at discouraging excessive phone use.

The play was organised at Montessori Indian Public School in Biriya, after parents raised concerns about children spending too much time on mobile phones. The school caters to around 150 students up to Class 8, and the play was filmed and later shared online.

Kamal, a social worker from the village, said that residents had approached principal Hema Chufal over concerns about children’s mobile usage. The school then created a skit portraying the physical and mental health problems they associated with excessive phone use.

Students took on different roles, including doctors and patients suffering from eye ailments, with dramatic scenes showing children losing their eyesight.

The performance was deliberately intense, with children watching the scenes appearing frightened enough to make it seem as though something terrible had actually happened on the school premises.

The principal had initially been concerned that the approach could have the opposite effect. However, after the children returned home and told their parents they should not use mobile phones excessively, several parents reacted positively to the message.

Hema also explained that children in the area have limited access to extracurricular activities, with no major centres nearby. The presence of wild animals is another concern for families living close to the forests.

Meanwhile, administrators at several prominent schools in Khatima had noticed problems among children that they associated with excessive mobile use, including depression, vision problems, digestive issues and other mental health concerns. Some schools are now considering screening the play for their students.

However, the way the message was delivered has also raised concerns about the impact such an activity could have on young children. A child psychologist said that while the intention was to promote children’s health, the execution was inappropriate.

But while the message was intended to raise awareness, a child psychologist questioned the way it was delivered. The psychologist said the intention behind the activity was focused on children’s health, but the execution was inappropriate and could itself affect their mental well-being.

“Such awareness campaigns should be carried out in a sophisticated manner,” the psychologist said, adding that anything that could harm children’s mental health in the name of awareness should be strictly avoided.

Authorities have also been instructed to speak with the school management and explain the concerns surrounding the approach.- EndsPublished By: Yashna TalwarPublished On: Sep 23, 2026 15:10 IST