Hyderabad: A few city schools have banned the fidget tri-spinner toys after they found a number of students bringing it to school and playing during break time.

The school managements assumed that it would turn into an obsession and banned them. This follows other toys including the Rub-ik’s cube.

The fidget spinners are popular, and are available for sale at toy stores, online and even at several crossroads.

The vice-principal of a school that banned the toy said, “It is becoming a distraction in class. Several children are bringing them to schools. Even in the West, some schools have banned the toy. It diverts the attention of the kid and will not allow them to focus in class.”

The fidget spinner is a three-pronged, palm-sized piece of plastic or metal which spins aro-und a central weighted disc. It is said to be the modern version of the old spinning top.

Children try to do various tricks with it including balancing them on top of fingers, toes or even the nose. There are fears that spinning the toy constantly, usually with the ring finger, could cause harm.

Psychologist Rama Devi said fidget spinners could be used as a tool as they were proven to be helpful in behaviour management. “Probably schools should allow the toy for special children for a purpose. But it is impossible to say if the toy can really help children with cognitive impairment,” she said.