The bill provides for two situations of permitted use. According to the proposal, cell phones can be used to meet “pedagogical needs for the use of digital content or specific educational tools” and to serve “students with disabilities who require specific technological aids.”
Before being approved, the text will be submitted to Alesp committees. State deputy Marina Helou’s intention is for the project to be analyzed by the Constitution and Justice, Education and Culture and Finance, Budget and Planning committees to gain legitimacy within the house and expand the debate on the topic until voting.
To be approved, the proposal needs 48 votes in favor – Alesp has 94 state deputies. There is still no forecast of when the text will be voted on in plenary. Marina believes that the project may face resistance, but is counting on the mobilization of public opinion to approve it.
It is not a project against technology, but it takes into account that the excessive use of these devices is an element of distraction and that, mainly, generates harm to individual development, academic performance and socialization of students — in addition to also having negative effects on the student mental health
Marina Helou (Rede), state deputy
State education secretary defends technology in schools. In his first eight months of management, Renato Feder determined the use of seven different applications by students in the state network. He has also stated that the use of cell phones and the reality of schools are issues that happen in “separate universes”.
Restrictions imposed
State schools in São Paulo already have cell phone restrictions. Since 2023, students have been unable to access social networks and streaming apps through the schools’ wireless networks to which they have access. In February, the ban was extended to school Wi-Fi networks accessed by teachers and other staff.
