The Brazilian Congress passed a law that bans the use of cell phones in primary and secondary schools. The measure, which now awaits the signature of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to become official, was introduced to address growing concerns aboutnegative impact of screens on student health and learning.
The ban applies to students aged between 4 and 17both during lessons and during recess. However, there are exceptions: electronic devices may be used for pedagogical purposes or for needs related to accessibility. Furthermore, schools will be asked to develop specific strategies to address mental health issues related to excessive technology use.
The Minister of Education, Camilo Santana, expressed his support for the law, underlining how the widespread use of cell phones in schools is negatively influencing students’ attention and limiting their socialization abilities. For Santana, in fact, the mobile phone has put an end to people’s socialization and a limit is needed, with his words echoing the concerns raised globally on the subject.
Many schools already limited cell phone use
According to a study conducted by the Locomotive Institute and QuestionPro, 82% of Brazilian parents support the banreflecting a broad consensus on the importance of regulating the use of mobile devices in schools. The data reveals that more than half of Brazilian adolescents between the ages of 10 and 13 own a cell phone, a percentage that rises to almost 88% among children aged between 14 and 17.
Even before the approval of the law, many schools had adopted autonomous measures to limit the use of cell phones. However, only 28% of schools implemented a total ban, according to the Internet Steering Committee.
UNESCO highlighted in a 2023 report that eliminating mobile phones from schools can improve academic resultsespecially for students with academic difficulties. However, the organization warns that excluding technology entirely could put students at a disadvantage in the digital future.
