BRAZIL TO BAN THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Fri 20 December 2024:

Mobile phone use will be banned in primary and secondary schools across Brazil if legislation recently passed by Congress is approved by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, local media outlets reported Thursday.

The law, designed to address the negative impacts of mobile phones on the health and education of children and teenagers, was passed in Congress following a vote.

Once signed into law, students in primary and secondary schools will no longer be allowed to use mobile devices during school hours.

Education Minister Camilo Santana welcomed the measure, saying that “restricting the use of mobile devices in schools is the right decision.”

According to an independent study, more than half of Brazilian children aged 10-13 own mobile phones, while the figure rises to 87.6% among those aged 14-17.

Data from the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee shows that nearly two-thirds of schools in the country already impose restrictions on mobile phone use, while only 28% completely prohibit them.

A survey conducted in October by the Locomotiva Institute and QuestionPro found that 82% of Brazilian parents support banning mobile phones in schools.

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The use of mobile phones by children in schools can lead to several negative effects. Firstly, they can be highly distracting, diverting attention from learning and reducing academic performance.

Students may focus on social media, games, or texting instead of lessons. Secondly, mobile phones can facilitate cheating during exams or assignments, undermining the integrity of education. Thirdly, excessive use of phones can harm mental health, increasing anxiety, cyberbullying risks, and exposure to inappropriate content.

Lastly, overreliance on mobile phones hinders social interactions and development of interpersonal skills, as students may prefer virtual connections over face-to-face communication. Schools should implement policies to minimize these risks and encourage responsible use.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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