Sao Paulo (AP) – A Brazilian student returned to class this week with a new task. Get away from your smartphone New laws restricting their use It is valid at school.
President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva signed a bill in January to restrict access to smartphones at schools. In line with the trend It can be found in the US and Europe. It applies to public and private schools, and to classrooms and halls.
Mobile phones are permitted for educational purposes, even if necessary for student accessibility and health, with permission from the teacher. Schools have the autonomy of setting their own guidelines, such as whether students can store their phones in their backpacks or in lockers or designated baskets.
Before federal law, most of Brazil’s 26 states, including Rio de Janeiro, Malanhao and Goias, had already passed measures that applied some restrictions on the use of telephones in schools. According to a survey last year by the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee, as of 2023, almost two-thirds of Brazilian schools had some restrictions and 28% were completely banned.
However, rules differed between states and schools, and authorities and administrators struggled to enforce it.
It may have contributed to supporting federal law from the entire political spectrum – Left wing Lula and far-right allies Former President Jia Bolsonaro. In a survey released in October by Brazilian poller DataFolha, nearly two-thirds of respondents want to ban smartphone use by school children and teenagers. Over three-quarters of the time, they say these devices are doing more harm than good for children.
Porto Seguro, a private school in Sao Paulo for nearly 150 years, banned smartphones in classrooms last year, encouraging students to cut off completely once a week. This year, the ban was expanded to include hallways, and students requested that cell phones be kept in lockers for the entire school day, including breaks.
“The students were having a hard time focusing,” school principal Meia Nosit said in an interview Thursday. “There was also the issue of social isolation. Many students who overuse technology can isolate themselves during breaks and interact only through social media.”
“Prohibiting the use of mobile phones will help create space for social interaction, promote relationships and teach students to navigate conflict, a natural part of human interaction. “It was very positive,” she added.
The highest phone usage rate
Brazil’s Ministry of Education said in a statement Monday that the restrictions aim to promote more rational use of technology while protecting students’ mental and physical health.
In May, Fundacao Getulio Vargas is a major think tank and university company, with Brazil having smartphones more than those with 258 million devices for a Brazilian population of 203 million He said. Local market researchers said last year that Brazilians spent nine hours and 13 minutes a day on screens. This is one of the highest usage rates in the world.
institution, governmentparents and others have used their children on smartphones for many years Bullying, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, loss of concentration It is necessary for learn. China moved last year Limits use by children The smartphone is in place, France Prohibit school smartphones For children aged 6-15.
cell No phone calls The United States has passed laws or policies that ban or restrict cell phone use, and that seek to curb student access to phones and minimize classroom distractions. He gained traction all over.
More and more parents All of Europe Those interested in evidence that smartphones are being used among young children puts safety and mental health at risk.
A report released in September by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organizations, or UNESCO said one in four countries already has one Restricted use of such devices At school.
New ways to interact with friends
Meta Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg apologized Last year, he used a US Senate hearing to apologise to parents of children who were exploited, bullied or self-harmed via social media. He also noted Meta’s continued investment in “industry-wide” efforts to protect children.
Mariana Waetge, a 13-year-old student at Porto Seguro, has owned a smartphone for five years. She uses it to communicate with friends and family and find entertainment on social media, especially Instagram. Forced to leave her phone, she found new ways to interact with friends, improving her focus and even strengthening her relationship with her family.
The restriction can be “included with people who didn’t have many friends and can be hidden to avoid making new friends using their phones or being there,” she said in an interview. Ta. “Now they don’t have that option anymore. These people are going to play board games and read books.”
___
AP VideoJournalist Thiago Mostazo contributed.
Source link
