The approval of a bill in the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo (Alesp), which prohibits the use of electronic devices in public and private schools in the state, starting in the 2025 school year, highlighted the topic. In addition to care in schools, the Marist Center for the Defense of Children assesses that the use of devices and the internet also needs attention at home.
Survey of ICT Kids Online Brazil (2024), carried out by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and Cetic.br, showed that 93% of Brazilian children and adolescents – aged 9 to 17 – use the internet, which represents 24.5 million people.
The study also showed that around three in ten internet users aged between nine and 17 have guardians who use resources to block or filter some types of websites (34%); to filter downloaded applications (32%), which limit people who contact you via voice calls or messages (32%); that monitor websites or applications accessed (31%); that block ads (28%); warn about the desire to make purchases in apps (26%); and that restrict time on the internet (24%).
“Just as we teach our children not to talk to strangers on the street, we now have to teach them how to behave on the internet. Currently, parents and guardians must work on digital literacy, supervising activities and teaching marketing dynamics, as inappropriate use of the internet can create a conducive environment for physical and mental illness”, said, in a note, Valdir Gugiel, director of the Marist Center of Child Defense and member of the State Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents of Santa Catarina.
He adds that, currently, when it comes to childhood and youth, it is necessary to promote a debate about the conscious use of screens and devices and violence in the digital environment.
Offenses
Still according to ICT Kids Onlineamong users aged nine to 17, 29% said they had experienced offensive situations, which they didn’t like or upset them in the digital environment. Of these, 31% reported what happened to their fathers, mothers or guardians; 29% to a friend of the same age; 17% for sisters, brothers or cousins; and 13% did not reveal it to anyone.
The manager of the Marist Center for the Defense of Children, Bárbara Pimpão, explains that some cases of offensive situations on the internet can evolve into cyberbullying [violência virtual que ocorre geralmente com as pessoas tímidas e indefesas].
“Children and adolescents who are repeatedly exposed to messages that are intended to scare, embarrass or anger can suffer psychological, physical and social consequences, such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety disorders and insomnia,” he said in a statement.
The entity highlighted the following tips and precautions for those responsible in relation to children and adolescents’ access to digital tools:
1. Carry out cell phone monitoring and parental control.
2. Stay alert to offensive situations.
3. Explain the dangers of contact with strangers.
4. Talk about excessive internet use.
5. Access content together to raise awareness.
