Many students, including those in junior classes, have become so adept at using technology that some of them are abusing it, said teachers.
The heads of several schools said the students have become so skilled in handling technology that they can hide their tracks.
Many do not understand the consequences of abusing technology, which could turn dangerous, the head of a school said.
A student in a city school sent an email to parents of Class VI students telling them that the school would be closed the next day.
The email was sent from a fake ID created in the name of a class teacher.
The mail mentioned that the teacher was unable to access her school ID and hence was emailing from her personal ID.
In another school, a Class VII geography teacher received an email threatening her that she would face consequences if she did not share a question paper.
The after-effect of the use of technology is felt even during in-person classes, said teachers.
During the last two years, students across classes had access to their own devices because of online classes.
“Children, even in younger classes, are up to pranks using technology. In the last two years they have become so technologically savvy that they can cover their tracks as well,” said Amita Prasad, director, Indus Valley World School.
The challenge is that often it is difficult to understand what the children are up to because they use their devices in their rooms and parents do not know what they are doing.
“Students have become hands-on with technology. They do not understand the repercussions and maybe are doing it only for fun,” said Meena Kak, director, Lakshmipat Singhania Academy.
Kak said they had workshops at regular intervals with children to explain the implications of abusing technology to them.
Students are creating fake accounts and IDs and using them as they wish.
With parents back at work, children are often left unmonitored with devices.
Since phones cannot be taken away from children, it is best to educate them.
“Given their age and maturity, they tend to misuse technology,” said a teacher.
“Abuse is now technology-based and it can be used to harm anyone,” said Terence John, principal, Julien Day School, Kalyani.
John said students gain confidence with the use of technology and that makes them overstep their limits.
South City International School has decided to have a bag-less day where students will be asked to bring their own devices.
“But we have to be careful about how they are using it because it will be connected with the school wi-fi,” said principal John Bagul.