A Mumbai school’s attempt to curb smartphone addiction among children has ignited a fierce debate online over its shock-value approach. Scholars Educare recently staged a classroom act portraying extreme consequences of excessive mobile phone use, sparking widespread backlash.

The performance featured a teacher posing as a doctor who administered an “injection” into a child’s eye, causing simulated bleeding and implying permanent vision loss. Children in the audience were visibly distressed, some crying as teachers pressed the message: “No mobile phones, please.”

The video quickly went viral, triggering a mix of reactions. While some applauded the school for addressing a pressing concern, many criticized the act as emotionally harmful. Actress Riddhima Pandit reacted with laughter emojis, remarking, “Main bhi nahi dekhungi,” while entrepreneur Parul Gulati commented, “Wow… it escalated too fast.”

Social media users were sharply divided. Some praised the school for sending an early warning about mobile overuse. Others condemned the use of fear tactics, calling it “absolutely horrendous” and urging parents to be educated instead of traumatizing children in supposedly safe spaces.

One user wrote, “Screens are not harmful! Teach parents about boundaries and limits, not terrorize kids.” Another warned, “Using unscientific and false demonstrations to instill fear in young minds is not the way to educate.”

Experts say that while mobile addiction among children is a genuine concern affecting mental and physical health, awareness programs must be balanced, age-appropriate, and scientifically sound.

The episode raises a critical question: should schools shock children into compliance, or educate them through understanding and guidance? For many online viewers, Scholars Educare’s act may have crossed the line from awareness to trauma.