BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
Brazilian students kicked off the school year with a new challenge: staying off their smartphones. A nationwide law, signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in January, officially limits phone use in both public and private schools, making Brazil the latest country to implement restrictions on classroom screen time.
While phones are still permitted for educational purposes, accessibility needs, or medical reasons, schools have the autonomy to decide how students store them—whether in backpacks, lockers, or designated collection areas. The goal? Reducing distractions, improving learning outcomes, and encouraging real-life social interactions.
A growing global trend
Brazil’s move aligns with a global push to curb smartphone use among students. Countries like France, China, and the United States have also introduced restrictions following mounting concerns about digital addiction, cyberbullying, and declining attention spans. A 2023 report by UNESCO found that one in four countries has already placed limits on phones in schools.
In Brazil alone, there are more smartphones than people—258 million devices in a country of 203 million residents. On average, Brazilians spend over nine hours per day on screens, one of the highest rates worldwide. This heavy usage has sparked widespread concern about its effects on mental health, academic performance, and social behavior.
A survey conducted last year by the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee revealed that nearly two-thirds of Brazilian schools had already imposed some form of smartphone restriction, with 28 percent banning them entirely. However, enforcement varied significantly between states, prompting a more unified federal approach.
Why limit smartphones in schools?
Support for stricter regulations is widespread, spanning across Brazil’s political spectrum. A 2023 Datafolha survey found that nearly two-thirds of Brazilians favor banning smartphone use in schools for children and teenagers. Additionally, over seventy-five percent of respondents believe that smartphones do more harm than good to children.
Porto Seguro, a prestigious 150-year-old private school in São Paulo, took early action by banning phones in classrooms in 2023. This year, the school expanded its restrictions to include hallways, requiring students to store phones in lockers throughout the school day.
“Students were having trouble concentrating,” said Meire Nocito, Porto Seguro’s principal. “There was also the issue of social isolation. Many students who used technology excessively would isolate themselves during breaks, interacting only through social media.”
The ban, she says, has helped students reconnect with each other, fostering stronger relationships and teaching them valuable conflict-resolution skills—important lessons that extend far beyond the classroom.
Digital detox leads to new connections
For 13-year-old student Mariana Waetge, the shift away from screens was an adjustment—but ultimately a positive one. While she has owned a smartphone for five years and frequently uses social media, she found that putting her phone away at school helped her focus better and interact more with her classmates.
“The restriction helped include people who didn’t have many friends and would use their phones to hide from making new ones,” she said. “Now they don’t have that option anymore. These people end up playing board games or reading books.”
The law’s broader goal is to reshape student habits, ensuring that the classroom remains a space for engagement, learning, and human connection, rather than endless scrolling.
Are smartphone bans effective?
The debate over smartphone restrictions in schools remains ongoing. Critics argue that banning phones entirely may not address the root causes of digital addiction and that technology when used responsibly, can enhance education. Others highlight that strict policies require strong enforcement, which can be difficult in larger, under-resourced schools.
However, many educators and parents argue that the benefits of reducing screen time outweigh the drawbacks. Studies have linked excessive smartphone use to anxiety, depression, attention disorders, and sleep disturbances—all of which can negatively impact students’ academic success and overall well-being.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, acknowledged these concerns in a 2024 U.S. Senate hearing, where he apologized to parents whose children had suffered from bullying, exploitation, and mental health struggles related to social media. His remarks reinforced the growing demand for stronger safeguards on student screen time.
The future of tech-free learning
As Brazil’s smartphone ban takes effect, other countries will likely watch closely to see its impact. If the policy proves successful in improving student focus, social interactions, and mental health, it could influence global education policies in the years to come.
For now, Brazil’s schools are taking a bold step toward reshaping digital habits and encouraging students to engage with the world—without the filter of a screen.
