Ipatas’ mobile warning

ENGA Governor Peter Ipatas has been urged to ban the use of mobile phones by students in the province.
Waipu villager Larsen Kekae Poporau in Wabag said by phone that many students in primary and secondary schools had easy access to mobile phones, which contributed to their poor academic performance.
He said students spent most of their time on Facebook and other social media sites instead of studying.
“Young girls are lured by money for sex,” he said.
“Students are using Facebook to have relationships that eventually lead to unprotected sex and unwanted pregnancies.
“The use of alcohol, home-brew and marijuana has increased because the Facebook users in the  name of fame and glory would pose with these illicit substances to show off to their peers.
“The use of phones in schools has badly affected education.”
Village youth Yapokon Timothy Lus said he had seen children from a nearby primary and secondary school viewing pornographic videos and pictures on mobile phones.
“I see some students from my village viewing pornographic videos and pictures. Authorities in the province must act immediately to stop this,” he said.
Yambaran Ben Taso from Tsak Valley in Wapenamada district urged parents to confiscate phones from their children.