The use of mobile phones in schools is again at the center of the educational debate in Portugal. With the advancement of technologies and their constant presence in students’ daily lives, the government is preparing to implement new measures that can transform the environment within classrooms and school spaces. The decision involves restrictions on the use of these devices, but the main reason may not be what many think.
Government advances with new rules for the use of smartphones
According to the public newspaper, the Council of Ministers must approve the prohibition of the use of mobile phones in schools for students of the 1st and 2nd cycles. The measure covers both public and private establishments and appears following a report that evaluated the impacts of the presence of smartphones on the school context.
The report was prepared by Planapp, Public Policies Planning and Evaluation Center, which conducted an inquiry to 809 directors of unrestrained groupings and schools from the continental territory. This work focused on monitoring recommendations for the use of smartphones in schools, seeking to understand the effects of restrictions already implemented in various institutions.
Visible drop in cases of bullying and indiscipline
According to the same source, the data collected reveal that, in schools where mobile phones were prohibited, there was a substantial decrease in cases of bullying, indiscipline and physical confrontations between students. This reduction was not only not only in the 2nd and 3rd cycles, but also in secondary education.
In 1st cycle schools that applied prohibition policies, 31% of principals indicated a decrease in bullying occurrences in the school enclosure. Among the schools where the use of mobile phones remains free, only 19.5% reported a similar reduction.
In the case of secondary education, more than half of those officials signaled a significant decrease in violent episodes, as the same source revealed.
Directors highlight improvements in the school environment
Also according to the report mentioned, the principals of the schools that adopted the ban highlight not only the reduction of problematic behaviors, but also positive changes in the general behavior of students. The absence of mobile phones has led to an environment considered calmer, with less distractions and greater focus during classes.
This change in the school environment was especially visible in 2nd cycle institutions. In these establishments, 86% of directors said they noticed an increase in social interactions during the breaks, a contrasting data with the 21% recorded in schools without any restriction on mobile devices.
Less screens, more socialization and physical activity
Schools also marked other positive consequences resulting from the absence of smartphones. According to the same source, there was a greater use of common spaces, such as libraries and game areas, as well as an increase in physical activity during free time.
The principals noted that, without mobile phones, students tended to look for alternative forms of time occupation, resulting in greater socialization between pairs. These behaviors were recorded more intensely in schools with more restrictive policies.
Ban was already being applied in some schools
The report also reveals that even before the government’s recommendation there were already rules regarding the use of mobile phones in many schools.
In the 1st cycle, about 78.7% of unzipped clusters and schools had practices to prohibit these devices. In the 2nd cycle, the percentage was 40.9%, while in the 3rd cycle it was 24.9%.
Secondary education had a different reality, with only 7.6% of schools to apply restrictive measures. With the new proposal, it is now intended to standardize the rules and extend the prohibitions, at least until the end of the 2nd cycle.
Measure does not yet affect all levels of education
Despite the recommendations and positive results pointed out, the new legal framework to be approved this week only applies to the first two cycles of basic education. The 3rd cycle and the secondary are not included in the government proposal, at least at this stage.
However, the data released suggest that the extent of the measure may be considered in the future. The directors who responded to the inquiry demonstrated, in many cases, openness to apply similar restrictions on other levels of education, provided that the results remain consistent.
Results can influence future decisions
According to the decision to advance with the measure is based on the evidence collected, which point to benefits not only at the disciplinary level, but also on the social development of students. The absence of mobile phones seems to favor the creation of a more balanced and safe environment within schools.
The Planapp report should continue to be updated with new information over the coming school years. The objective will be to evaluate the long -term impact of this and other policies related to the presence of technology in the educational space.
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