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BRASILIA. – Brazil’s Senate has passed a bill banning mobile phones in schools across the nation and sent the proposed legislation to be signed into law by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The Bill prohibits the use of mobile phones in school classrooms and during recesses and is aimed at reducing their negative effects on the learning of children and adolescents.
The measure applies to private and public schools, and makes exceptions for studies that require the use of mobile phones and are authorised by teachers.
“The effects of the excessive use of mobile phones and social media by children and adolescents go beyond academic results and lead to mental health issues linked to anxiety,” said Bill sponsor Senator Alessandro Vieira.
The bill was passed last week by the lower chamber of congress, and the senate approved it without changes.
Lula’s administration supports the Bill, and he is expected to sign it.
A stricter ban on mobile phones in schools was adopted 12 days ago by the state of Sao Paulo, which also prohibited them during extra-curricular activities by school children.
A survey conducted by the Locomotiva Institute and QuestionPro reveals that eight out of ten adults (80%) believe cell phone use in schools should be banned. Among parents, 82 percent support this ban, as do 72 percent of respondents without children.
The perception of the need for a ban is evident across all adult age groups, but among those aged 61 and over, support for the restriction is even higher at 87 percent.
“This is a widespread agreement in society; there is no divergence. This consensus spans gender, age, and all profiles,” explains Gabrielle Selani, quantitative research manager at the Locomotiva Institute.
The survey revealed that 90 percent of respondents believe children today no longer want to play outside due to their use of cell phones and television. – Agencies
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