Official announcements from the Brazilian government or legislative changes reported in the Diário Oficial da União

Lula Signs Law Banning Cellphones in Brazilian Schools for 2025, With Exceptions

Jan 13, 2025, 08:23 PM

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed into law a bill that prohibits the use of cellphones and other portable electronic devices in public and private schools across the country. The new regulation, effective from the start of the 2025 academic year, applies to students from early childhood education through high school. The law allows the use of such devices only for educational purposes, accessibility, inclusion, health conditions, or to ensure fundamental rights. The legislation was supported by both government and opposition lawmakers and aims to protect the mental, physical, and psychological health of children and adolescents. The Ministry of Education plans to engage families, teachers, and students in implementing the law through seminars and guidelines starting in January and continuing through March. A recent survey showed that 86% of Brazilians support some form of restriction on cellphone use in schools, while over 70% of parents are in favor of limiting their use in classrooms. Similar bans are already in place in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.