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| Brazil Advances Ban on Mobile Phone |
Brazil's Congress has approved legislation to ban mobile phone use in primary and secondary schools, aiming to mitigate the negative impacts of these devices on students' health and education. The bill now awaits President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's signature to become law.
Once enacted, students aged 4 to 17 will be prohibited from using mobile devices during school hours, including both classroom sessions and recess. Exceptions will be made for pedagogical purposes or accessibility needs.
Education Minister Camilo Santana supports the measure, stating that "restricting the use of mobile devices in schools is the right decision.
Studies indicate that over half of Brazilian children aged 10 to 13 own mobile phones, with ownership rising to 87.6% among those aged 14 to 17. Currently, nearly two-thirds of schools in Brazil have some restrictions on mobile phone use, but only 28% enforce a complete ban. Additionally, a survey conducted in October by the Locomotiva Institute and QuestionPro found that 82% of Brazilian parents support banning mobile phones in schools.
This legislative move reflects growing concerns about the impact of mobile devices on students' concentration, social interactions, and overall well-being. If signed into law, Brazil will join a number of countries implementing similar measures to enhance the educational environment by limiting distractions caused by mobile phones.
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