BAGUIO CITY — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said any move to impose a total ban on students' cellphone use in schools should be left to the Department of Education (DepEd), stressing that such a policy requires careful study and consultation.

Magalong said decisions on regulating mobile phones in schools should be data-driven rather than based on outright prohibition.

He made the statement following the decision of Dumangjug, Cebu to ban students from bringing cellphones to school.

While acknowledging that local government units may adopt their own policies, Magalong said any similar measure in Baguio should be crafted in coordination with DepEd, whose officials are better equipped to assess child psychology, student behavior, and mental health.

The mayor also cited research linking excessive cellphone use to increased aggression and behavioral problems among children, warning that unrestricted screen time could contribute to device addiction and other negative effects.

However, he noted that mobile phones also serve an important purpose during emergencies, allowing students to quickly contact authorities or their families when needed.

Magalong pointed out that DepEd already has existing guidelines regulating cellphone use in schools, including restrictions during class hours and sanctions such as temporary confiscation for violations.

He said the issue remains a "bidirectional" challenge, requiring policymakers to carefully balance the risks of excessive cellphone use with the benefits of having communication devices readily available during emergencies.