SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a bill on Monday that limits the use of smartphones in schools, in line with a global trend toward such restrictions. The new regulation will affect students at elementary and high schools throughout Brazil starting in February. It establishes guidelines to ensure that students only use smartphones in cases of emergencies, for educational purposes, or if they have disabilities and require them.
During a closed ceremony at the presidential palace in Brasilia, President Lula stated, “We cannot allow humanism to be replaced by algorithms,” emphasizing the importance of the bill in recognizing the efforts of educators and those concerned about the well-being of children and teenagers in the country.
Studies have shown that Brazil has more smartphones than people, with 258 million devices for a population of 203 million. Brazilians spend an average of 9 hours and 13 minutes per day on screens, one of the highest figures globally. Education Minister Camilo Santana highlighted the challenge parents face in monitoring their children’s online activities and expressed confidence that restricting smartphones at school will help address this issue.
The bipartisan bill received rare support from across the political spectrum, including allies of President Lula and his political opponent, former President Jair Bolsonaro. A survey conducted by Brazilian pollster Datafolha revealed that nearly two-thirds of respondents favor prohibiting smartphone use by children and teenagers at schools, with over three-quarters believing that smartphones have a negative impact on children.
The restrictions have been welcomed by many parents and students, who believe that limiting smartphone use will promote more interactive and focused learning environments. While some see the ban as a positive step, others acknowledge that challenges like bullying and harassment persist in schools.
As of 2023, approximately two-thirds of Brazilian schools have implemented restrictions on cellphone use, with 28% completely banning smartphones. Some states, such as Rio de Janeiro, Maranhao, and Goias, have enacted local laws to prohibit smartphones in schools. However, enforcing these regulations has proven challenging.
In Sao Paulo, discussions are underway regarding a potential ban on smartphones in both public and private schools. While many agree with the restrictions, concerns remain about the influence of adults’ smartphone use on children’s behavior.
Gabriele Alexandra Henriques Pinheiro, a mother of a child with autism spectrum disorder, supports the limitations but acknowledges the difficulties in setting boundaries for screen time. Striking a balance between technology use and other activities remains a challenge for many parents and caregivers.
Limiting smartphone use among children has become a growing concern due to its association with issues such as bullying, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and difficulties in concentration necessary for learning. Last year, China implemented measures to restrict children’s access to smartphones, while France went a step further by imposing a ban on smartphones in schools for kids aged six to 15. The trend of cellphone bans in educational settings has been gaining momentum in the United States, with eight states enacting laws or policies aimed at curbing student phone usage to reduce distractions in classrooms.
Parents in Europe are increasingly alarmed by research indicating that early exposure to smartphones can pose risks to children’s safety and mental well-being. A recent report released by UNESCO revealed that one in four countries has already taken steps to limit the use of such devices in school environments. The issue of children’s smartphone usage was further highlighted during a U.S. Senate hearing last year, where Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg issued an apology to parents whose children had been exploited, bullied, or driven to self-harm through social media platforms. Zuckerberg also emphasized Meta’s ongoing investments in collaborative efforts across the industry to enhance child protection measures.
Reporting for this article was contributed by journalists Rodrigues in Rio de Janeiro, Pessoa in Sao Paulo, and Gecker in San Francisco.