In order to prevent students from being addicted to mobile phones and affecting their learning and physical and mental health, many primary and secondary schools have strict mobile phone management regulations. However, while schools are trying their best to control mobile phones, some businesses are using their brains to help students hide their mobile phones. Water cups, desk lamps, alarm clocks, and even lunch boxes and tissue boxes have been transformed into so-called 'mobile phone hidden artifacts'. Some businesses even claim to be able to avoid metal detector inspections.
What on earth is going on with the so-called ‘hidden mobile phone artifact’? How should schools coordinate students’ mobile phone usage needs with campus management requirements?
The reporter searched for keywords such as "hiding mobile phone artifacts" on multiple e-commerce platforms and found that these so-called "mobile phone artifacts" come in a wide variety of categories, ranging from water cups, imitation books, alarm clocks, to desk lamps, lunch boxes, and tissue boxes. They are common items in students' daily lives, with prices ranging from tens to hundreds of yuan. In the product introduction, "anti-metal detectors", "double-layer concealed compartments", "anti-surprise inspections" and "can be locked" are the main selling points. Platform data shows that the monthly sales of some single products exceed 500 pieces, and the cumulative sales of some products even exceed 4,000 pieces.
The reporter noticed that on some social platforms, videos explaining and recommending the so-called ‘hidden mobile phone artifacts’ have also attracted a lot of attention, and some videos have received tens of thousands of likes. In the comment section of a video recommending a hidden desk lamp, many netizens left messages asking for a purchase link; some lamented that they only got such an 'artifact' after graduation; others questioned the effect, saying that the school would use metal detectors to detect these items.
The merchants had done enough homework on the school’s possible inspection methods, and reporters found that these products claimed to be “proof against metal detectors.”
The reporter contacted a merchant who sells hidden water cups. According to the other party, this product is made of metal. It looks similar to an ordinary metal water cup. In fact, it is divided into two parts inside. The upper part can still hold water normally. When you unscrew the base, you can see a hidden compartment where your mobile phone can be stored.
Regarding the main 'anti-metal detector' function, the merchant explained that the so-called 'anti-metal detection' does not mean that the detector cannot detect metal, but uses the metal parts of the water cup itself to try to make the inspector attribute the alarm sound to the cup, so as to get through. It is called 'advanced evasion of inspection'.
Another merchant who sells hidden desk lamps sent reporters a demonstration video of a disguised alarm clock. In the video, the appearance of the two alarm clocks is exactly the same. One does not have a mobile phone inside, while the other has a mobile phone hidden inside. Test with a metal detector and both will make a sound.
In order to protect students' eyesight, allow students to concentrate on learning in school, prevent addiction to the Internet and games, and promote the healthy physical and mental development of students, the Ministry of Education previously issued the "Notice on Strengthening the Management of Mobile Phones for Primary and Secondary School Students" which clarified that in principle, primary and secondary school students are not allowed to bring personal mobile phones to campus. If there is a real need, parents must obtain consent and submit a written application. After entering the school, they will be handed over to the school for centralized custody and are not allowed to be brought into the classroom.
Chu Zhaohui, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Educational Sciences, believes that rather than simply increasing inspections, it is more important to let students understand why schools restrict the use of mobile phones.
On the one hand, schools are constantly strengthening management to prevent students from being addicted to mobile phones. On the other hand, merchants specifically inspect, design and promote hidden tools specifically for schools. Are there any violations of laws and regulations regarding these products that are sold to avoid management? What responsibilities should e-commerce platforms bear?
Zhu Wei, associate professor at China University of Political Science and Law, believes that some merchants clearly use helping primary and secondary school students to avoid school inspections as their selling point, and have deviated from the usage scenarios of ordinary storage products.
