Brazilian Federal Law Prohibits Smartphones in Classrooms
The prohibition extends to classrooms and hallways in both public and private schools, including recess.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recently signed a federal law that is applicable in all 26 states of the country, restricting smartphone usage at schools, aligning with decisions made in Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, and various European nations.
The new legislation, which went into effect at the start of the school term in early February in different states, pertains to classrooms and hallways in public and private schools, including recess periods.
Schools are allowed to establish their own regulations regarding the storage of phones, whether kept in students’ backpacks, lockers, or designated baskets.
An exception to this law is when phones are necessary for educational purposes with the permission of the teacher, or for students with specific accessibility and health needs.
Prior to the enactment of this law, many states in Brazil, such as Rio de Janeiro, Maranhao, and Goias, had already imposed restrictions on phone usage in schools.
A survey conducted by the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee in 2023 revealed that over 60% of schools in Brazil had some form of restrictions, with 28% having a complete ban on smartphones.
Enforcement of these restrictions was challenging for administrators without a unified federal law.
In a statement released by Brazil’s Ministry of Education, the restriction was implemented to safeguard students’ mental and physical well-being while encouraging the use of technology.
The effort to bar smartphones from classrooms has garnered support from both ends of the political spectrum in Brazil.
The country is divided between the followers of Lula, a leftist, and the conservative former President Jair Bolsonaro, whom he narrowly defeated in the 2022 election.
A survey conducted in October 2024 by Brazilian pollsters Datafolha indicated that almost two-thirds of respondents favored prohibiting smartphone use by children and teenagers in schools.
Additionally, over three-quarters of respondents expressed the belief that smartphones were more harmful than beneficial to their children.
Issues linked to children using smartphones included online bullying, heightened anxiety, diminished focus, and disruption to the learning environment.
Students ‘Struggling to Concentrate’
The principal of Porto Seguro, a 150-year-old private school in Sao Paulo, Meire Nocito, noted that, “Students were having trouble concentrating.”
She added, “There was also the issue of social isolation. Many students who excessively used technology would isolate themselves during breaks, connecting only through social media.”
Porto Seguro implemented a ban on smartphones in classrooms last year and encouraged students to completely turn off their devices once a week.
This year, the ban was expanded to include the school hallways, requiring students to store their phones in lockers for the entire school day, including recess.
Nocito stated, “Prohibiting cellphone use has facilitated a space for social interaction, fostering relationships and teaching students to navigate conflicts, which are a natural part of human interactions. It has been very positive.”
Mariana Waetge, a 13-year-old student at Porto Seguro, mentioned that some students, “who didn’t have many friends… would use their phones to avoid making new friends or to escape social interactions.”
She added, “Now they don’t have that option anymore. These individuals are now engaging in board games or reading books.”
The prohibition of cellphones has become increasingly popular across the United States, with eight states passing laws or policies restricting cellphone usage.
Several countries globally have implemented measures to restrict smartphone usage among children.
Growing Global Trend
France has enforced a ban on smartphones in schools for children aged six to 15.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated, “We want to see kids off their devices and onto footy fields and netball courts. Kids should be having real experiences with real people.”
Last year, China also imposed restrictions on children’s smartphone usage.
A report published by the UN’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in September 2024 revealed that one in four countries had placed restrictions on smartphone usage in schools.
Last year, Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg issued an apology during a U.S. Senate hearing to parents of children who had experienced exploitation, bullying, or self-harm through social media.
He mentioned that Meta had invested in “industrywide” initiatives to safeguard children.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
