Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed a bill restricting smartphone use in schools, aligning with a growing global trend.
Beginning in February, the restrictions will apply to elementary and high schools nationwide.
The legislation aims to ensure devices are used only during emergencies, for educational purposes, or by students with disabilities who rely on them.
Education Minister Camilo Santana highlighted the challenges of monitoring children’s online activities and emphasized the need for such measures.
“We want those devices, as in many other countries, to only be used in class for pedagogical purposes and with a teacher’s guidance,” he stated at a press conference in Brasília.
The bill received bipartisan support, uniting allies of leftist Lula and supporters of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.
Public opinion also leans toward the restrictions, with an October survey by Datafolha revealing that nearly two-thirds of respondents favored banning smartphones in schools.
Over three-quarters believed these devices cause more harm than good to children.
Ricardo Martins Ramos, a father from Rio de Janeiro, supported the decision, citing its potential to foster more interaction among students.
“Restricting cell phones is tough, but necessary,” he remarked. His 13-year-old daughter, Isabela, also approved, noting that phones often distract her classmates.
However, she argued that more efforts are needed to tackle other issues like bullying.
As of 2023, around two-thirds of Brazilian schools had some form of cellphone restriction, with 28% enforcing outright bans, according to a survey by the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee.
Some states, including Rio de Janeiro, Maranhão, and Goiás, have already enacted local bans, though enforcement has been inconsistent.
São Paulo, the country’s most populous state, is currently debating whether to apply similar measures to both public and private schools.
Parents like Gabriele Alexandra Henriques Pinheiro, whose son has autism spectrum disorder, agreed with the initiative but acknowledged the broader challenge of adults serving as role models.
“I try to restrict screen time, but I often need my phone to manage daily tasks,” she explained.
Globally, concerns over smartphone use among children have linked it to bullying, anxiety, and reduced focus. Countries like China and France have enacted school-based bans, and several U.S. states have introduced similar restrictions.
A recent UNESCO report found that one in four countries has implemented measures limiting device use in schools.
The debate continues as parents, educators, and governments grapple with balancing the benefits and drawbacks of smartphone access for children.
Source-CNN
