The Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo (Alesp) approved this Tuesday (12) a bill that prohibits the use of electronic devices in public and private schools. The new law restricts the use of cell phones, tablets, smart watches and the like, except in situations related to learning, including for students with disabilities. The project goes to governor Tarcísio de Freitas for sanction. 
The project was approved urgently, by consensus and without amendments. Proposed by Network deputy Marina Helou, it was co-authored by parliamentarians from the right and left and garnered 42 votes. Bill 293/2024 changes the current legislation, in force since 2007. Now, the scope of the standards has been expanded, covering the private network and municipal units.
The proposal restricts use even outside of classrooms, such as during recess and at times when students are not in class.
“The constant use of mobile devices during classes has been associated with a significant decrease in the ability to concentrate and academic performance,” said Marina Helou, during the project approval session. The state government has not yet signaled when the sanction will be.
The project envisages the creation of equipment storage protocols in education networks and the independence of private schools to regulate how they will do so. Students themselves are also held responsible for damage and loss, even when the devices are stored.
Recent research has shown that 80% of adults agree with a ban on the use of cell phones in schools.
The Education Committee of the Chamber of Deputies approved a proposal that prohibits the use of cell phones and other portable electronic devices by basic education students in public and private schools, including during recess and breaks between classes. To protect children up to 10 years of age from possible abuse, the text also prohibits the possession of cell phones by students in early childhood education and in the early years of elementary school.
