Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva displays a bill restricting cell phone use in schools nationwide during a ceremony at the Planalto Palace in BrasÃlia on January 13, 2025. (Photo: Eraldo Peres/AP)On Monday, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a bill restricting smartphone use in schools, aligning with a global trend to limit such devices in educational settings.
The new law, which takes effect in February, will apply to elementary and high schools nationwide. It allows students to use smartphones only in emergencies, for educational purposes under teacher guidance, or if required for disabilities.
Education Minister Camilo Santana emphasized that children use the internet at increasingly younger ages, making it harder for parents to monitor their activities. "Restricting smartphones at school will help children focus better," Santana stated, adding, “We want these devices to be used only for pedagogical purposes, with a teacher's guidance, as seen in many other countries.”
The bill garnered rare bipartisan support, uniting allies of both leftist Lula and his political rival, former President Jair Bolsonaro. Public opinion is also largely in favor: an October survey by Datafolha found that nearly two-thirds of respondents supported banning smartphones in schools, and over 75% believed smartphones harm children more than they help.
Parents and students echoed these sentiments. Ricardo Martins Ramos, a father of two in Rio de Janeiro, called the restrictions "tough but necessary," noting that they could encourage kids to interact more. His 13-year-old daughter Isabela supported the move, though she pointed out unresolved issues like bullying and harassment in schools.
As of 2023, approximately two-thirds of Brazilian schools already imposed some restrictions on smartphones, with 28% enforcing total bans, according to the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee. Some states, including Rio de Janeiro, Maranhão, and Goiás, have enacted their own bans, though enforcement remains challenging. In São Paulo, Brazil's most populous state, discussions are ongoing about banning smartphones in both public and private schools.
Gabriele Alexandra Henriques Pinheiro, a mother of a boy with autism, welcomed the restrictions but highlighted the difficulty of modeling limited smartphone use as an adult. "I try to restrict my son's screen time, but I rely on my smartphone for everyday tasks," she explained.
Globally, concerns about smartphone use among children have fueled similar measures. France bans phones in schools for children aged 6 to 15, while China introduced limits on children’s smartphone use last year. In the U.S., eight states have enacted laws or policies to restrict phone use in classrooms, and UNESCO reported in September that one in four countries has implemented school smartphone bans.
The conversation around smartphone restrictions also touches on broader concerns. Many parents and institutions link excessive smartphone use to bullying, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and diminished focus. Last year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized during a U.S. Senate hearing for the harm caused by social media, pledging continued investment in safeguarding children online.
The Brazilian government’s move reflects growing international recognition of the impact of smartphones on children’s mental health, safety, and learning environments.
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