Question

Form a group of five. Conduct a panel discussion on the topic, ‘Evaluating the Impact of Mobile Phones—Beneficial or Harmful’. Each student will take on one of the following roles.

• Moderator (initiates and directs the flow of the discussion inviting the speakers to share their views on the subject; at the end sums up the points of discussion and thanks the members of the group)
• Principal (opposed to—focus on discipline in school)
• Teacher (in favour of—partially in favour, educational use with limitations)
• Parent (opposed to—concerned about health and social effects on children)
• Student (in favour of—highlighting the benefits like connectivity and learning)

You may use the cues given below and add your own ideas when speaking.

Principal As a Principal, I strongly believe mobile phones are largely disruptive because...	Teacher From an educator’s perspective, I think mobile phones can be valuable but...
Parent As a parent, I’m concerned that mobile phones pose certain risks to children’s health and social development...	Student As a student, I feel mobile phones are essential because...

Answer 1

Moderator:	Good morning everyone. Today, our panel will discuss the topic, “Evaluating the Impact of Mobile Phones—Beneficial or Harmful.” We have with us our Principal, Teacher, Parent, and Student. Let us begin with the Principal.
Principal:	As a Principal, I strongly believe mobile phones are largely disruptive because they can distract students from their studies. They may also encourage unnecessary chatting, gaming, and misuse during school hours. Discipline and concentration can suffer if phones are not controlled.
Moderator:	Thank you. Now I invite our Teacher to share a view.
Teacher:	From an educator’s perspective, I think mobile phones can be valuable but only when used with limitations. Students can use them for online learning, educational videos, dictionaries, research, and communication. However, their use should be guided and restricted during lessons.
Moderator:	Thank you. Let us now hear the Parent’s opinion.
Parent:	As a parent, I’m concerned that mobile phones pose certain risks to children’s health and social development. Too much screen time may affect sleep, eyesight, physical activity, and face-to-face communication. Children may also become dependent on phones.
Moderator:	Thank you. Now I invite the Student to speak.
Student:	As a student, I feel mobile phones are useful because they help us stay connected with family and friends. They also support learning through educational apps, videos, and quick access to information. During emergencies, they are very helpful for communication.
Principal:	I agree that phones can be useful, but students must not misuse them in school.
Teacher:	That is true. The important thing is responsible and limited use.
Parent:	I also agree. Mobile phones should not replace outdoor activities, studies, or personal interaction.
Student:	Yes, proper rules can help us use mobile phones in a safe and useful way.
Moderator:	To sum up, mobile phones have both benefits and disadvantages. They are useful for learning, communication, and emergencies, but excessive or careless use can affect discipline, health, and social life. Therefore, mobile phones should be used wisely and responsibly. Thank you everyone for sharing your views.