March 29, 2017 This smartphone war is directed especially at women
A photo of a March 2017 poster asks people to notify the “Organization of Technology” if they have any information with regards to women (using the language “mothers”) who have smartphones.
Here’s the announcement with translation:
NOTICE:
As during these days the “Vaad Hatechnelogia” (Organization of Technology) is finishing to eradicate the smartphones owned by the mothers of students of our holy schools-
It is important that if someone knows of some such woman, they should call as soon as possible-
And in doing so speed up the opportunity to put an end to it.
PS: Be aware that there is no acceptable excuse for a woman [to have a smartphone] (i.e. for work).
The PS warns that women can never, under any circumstances, own a smartphone. It is unclear when men are given exceptions, but it is obvious that women have been the greater target for the anti-smartphone campaign. We often hear that the reason for targeting women is because women are closer to their children, and therefore the influences they are exposed to are a greater risk to future generations. It might also be because it is a more effective strategy to start with the women, who could then push their husbands to also give up their phones.