December 19, 2024, 9:59 AM
December 19, 2024, 9:59 AM
The Brazilian Senate approved on Wednesday (12/18/2024) a law that prohibits the use of cell phones by students in schools, both in classrooms and during recess, during all stages of compulsory education.
The measure, which had already been voted on in the Chamber of Deputies and is now pending the sanction of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, affects public and private schools and establishes that electronic devices will only be allowed for “strictly pedagogical” purposes.
The ban on cell phones has the exception of their use by those students who need them for reasons of “accessibility” or to “address health conditions.”
In addition, the law also requires schools to adopt strategies to treat students’ psychological problems and inform them of the risks of “immoderate use” of devices.
“In all places where the measure was implemented (…), there was an improvement in school performance, in school discipline and in the reduction of bullying,” said Senator Alessandro during the discussion. Vieira, speaker of the project, in statements cited by Brazilian media.
The approval comes after the state of São Paulo and the city of Rio de Janeiro adopted similar decisions in recent months.
The Ministry of Education had expressed its support for the measure, citing studies that indicate its positive impact on student performance and the mental health of teachers.
“Technology is important, equipment is important, but there has to be a limit,” the minister, Camilo Santana, said in October.
