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Brazil's Senate Bans Mobile Phones in Schools, Awaiting Lula's Signature, to Enhance Student Well-Being

Dec 22, 2024, 10:21 AM

Brazil's Senate has approved a bill that bans the use of mobile phones in schools across the country, aiming to enhance student learning and well-being. The legislation, which awaits President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's signature, applies to both public and private institutions from kindergarten through high school. The ban covers the use of mobile phones during classes, recess, and breaks, with exceptions allowed for educational purposes or emergencies, as approved by teachers. The move is supported by the Brazilian government and is part of a broader effort to address the negative impacts of mobile phone use on youth mental health and academic performance. The bill also mandates schools to develop strategies to discuss the risks associated with excessive screen time and to train staff to detect and prevent mental health issues related to mobile device use. Education Minister Camilo Santana has endorsed the measure, citing global evidence of attention deficits caused by mobile phones in classrooms. The ban is supported by 82% of Brazilian parents, according to a recent survey. Additionally, a 2023 UNESCO report suggests that banning mobile phones in schools can improve academic performance, particularly for underperforming students, though it also warns that shielding students from new technologies might put them at a disadvantage. Notably, 87.6% of Brazilian teenagers aged 14 to 17 own mobile phones.