The measure aims to reduce distractions in the classroom and improve students' focus. Find out which countries have adopted the rule!
The use of cell phones has been growing more and more, both among adults and among children, pre-teens and teenagers of school age. However, the constant use of the device in schools is not pleasing teachers in Europe, who complain about students being distracted by smartphones. As a result, the Dutch government will ban the use of cell phones in schools, in order to keep students focused and reduce distractions during class time. Find out all the details about this subject, which has generated debates all over the world!
Prohibition
Starting January 1st next year, the Dutch government will ban the use of phones, tablets and smartwatches in classrooms, where electronic devices will only be allowed if they are specifically necessary, such as in digital skills classes, for medical reasons and for students with disabilities. According to the Ministry of Education, it is important to protect students and provide them with a learning environment that is conducive to learning.
The ban was decided after an agreement between the ministry, schools and other organizations involved in the matter. Schools will be able to decide their own way of implementing the ban, but if the measures are not effective, legal rules will be applied.
The Netherlands' decision follows a trend already occurring in other European countries, such as France, which has already banned its use in classrooms, and Finland, which also recently announced the measure.
Use in Brazil
There are still no measures in this regard in the country, but research shows that 951% of Brazilian parents are concerned about their children's excessive use of devices. According to one study, Brazil leads the ranking of smartphone use among pre-teens and teenagers, with a usage rate of 961%. This number is well above the global average and highlights the high level of device use among young people in the country.
Furthermore, the study also revealed that the use of cell phones has started at increasingly younger ages, with 951% of Brazilian pre-teens and teenagers reporting having used a smartphone since a very young age. The use of these devices for recreational and social activities, such as playing games and watching TV, is also much higher in Brazil compared to the global average.
Ainda de acordo com a pesquisa, 71% dos pais no Brasil estão preocupados com o uso excessivo dos celulares e 39%afirmaram “estar muito preocupados”. A preocupação também supera a médica global e reforça a necessidade de medidas para diminuir o uso dos devices.
The bans in Europe, the concerns of parents and the constant use of devices by young Brazilians serve to highlight the importance of the debate on the balance between the use of technology and education. Therefore, it is important that parents find strategies to reduce this use without affecting their children, so that they can have more time to study without being distracted by their cell phones, in addition to being able to include these young people in activities that promote development and learning.
And you, are you for or against this ban in classrooms?
