Use will only be permitted for pedagogical activities and in exceptional cases, such as for accessibility and health; there were no vetoes
The president (PT) sanctioned this Monday (13 January 2025) without vetoes the law that prohibits the use of cell phones in public and private schools in the country. The ceremony at Palácio do Planalto was attended by congressmen, the Minister of Education, Camilo Santana, and the Minister of Human Rights, Macaé Evaristo.
The proposal was definitively approved by Congress on December 18. The rules will be valid as soon as published. Here is it (PDF – 273 kB).
“This sanction means recognition of the work of all serious people who take care of education, who want to take care of children and teenagers in this country”stated Lula.
Here are some points from restriction:
- it will be valid for public and private schools, at all stages of basic education (preschool, elementary and secondary education);
- it will be for classrooms, recess and breaks between classes;
- other portable electronic devices will also be restricted.
The text allows the use of cell phones for:
- pedagogical activities, with guidance from teachers;
- situations of danger, necessity or force majeure;
- ensure accessibility, inclusion and fundamental rights and to meet the health conditions of students.
The proposition defines as “classroom” all school spaces in which pedagogical activities are carried out under the guidance of teachers.
The text also determines that it will be up to schools to offer periodic training to identify and prevent mental suffering due to the use of devices.
Camilo Santana stated in his report that excessive cell phone use harms school performance and the mental health of children and adolescents.
Lula declared that he did not expect congressmen to be able to approve the project due to pressure from social media. The author of the proposal, a deputy (MDB-RS), did not attend the sanction.
“I often imagined that deputies would not have the courage to approve this law for fear of the internet. Because, today, to vote on something, they are thinking “how many minutes am I going to spend on the internet? How many people are going to engage in talking bad about me?”these.
