The recent enactment of Law No. 15,100/2025, which prohibits using cell phones and electronic devices in public and private schools in Brazil, has ignited nationwide debate. The measure, intended to protect students’ mental and emotional health, directly impacts daily school life and proposes a new way to experience the educational environment. But does this change represent a step backward or an opportunity to strengthen learning and human relationships?

What Law No. 15.100/2025 Says

Now in force, the law restricts cellphone use in schools to specific situations: authorized pedagogical activities, accessibility needs, health reasons, or emergencies. That means devices must remain put away during classes, breaks, recesses, and all other school-community moments. The Ministry of Education (MEC) and the National Education Council (CNE) will issue detailed regulations in early 2025 to help schools implement the measure day-to-day.

Motivations Behind the Ban

The ban doesn't aim to demonize technology but to curb indiscriminate social media use, which exploits brain reward mechanisms and fosters dependency among youth. Studies show excessive screen time impairs concentration, learning, and student mental health. The goal is to ensure conscious, healthy digital use while valuing face-to-face relationships and real-world engagement.

Early Results and Positive Impacts

Since the law took effect, many schools have reported significant changes. Students have started using their breaks differently—rediscovering traditional games, board games, and sports activities. Educators see this as an opportunity to revive social interaction and collective spirit, both vital for students' emotional and social development.

Physical activity and play have also yielded health benefits and improved overall school climate. Principals note that, after an initial adjustment period, students have shown more social interaction, better academic performance, and fewer conflicts or incidents of isolation.

Challenges and Student Resistance

Naturally, the change wasn't embraced without pushback. At first, many students tried to skirt the rules or even expressed a desire to drop out. Accustomed to relying on phones during free time, they had to relearn how to play, interact, and entertain themselves without devices.

Another observed effect was an uptick in minor accidents—scrapes and falls—directly tied to active, physical recreation. Despite these hiccups, teachers and administrators consider them positive signs of students readapting to a more active, less virtual lifestyle.

Educators' Perspective

Educators emphasize that the measure's success depends on offering engaging, meaningful alternatives. The schools that adapted best invested in communal spaces, sports equipment, and creative workshops.

It's also essential that the entire school community—students, families, and teachers—understand the ban's rationale and participate actively in its implementation. Education professionals suggest using dialogue, listening, and negotiation to make rules a collective effort instead of imposing them from the top down.

Inspiring Success Stories

Some Brazilian schools, such as Castanheiras in São Paulo and GET Elza Soares in Rio de Janeiro, adopted similar bans even before the law was passed. In those cases, community acceptance grew gradually, and outcomes were highly positive.

These institutions report that by providing attractive alternatives—sports courts, game areas, and social hubs—students became more engaged in interpersonal relationships and enhanced their academic performance.

MEC Support and Resources for Schools and Families

To facilitate implementation, the MEC has released guides, courses, and support materials for school administrators, teachers, and families. These resources seek to guide the implementation of the new policy and raise community awareness about the importance of reducing excessive screen use to protect students' physical and emotional well-being.

Final Thoughts

Far from being purely punitive, the ban on cellphone use in Brazilian schools prompts urgent reflection on technology's role in education. Beyond disconnecting students from screens, the initiative seeks to reconnect young people with each other and the real world, reinforcing relationships and the learning process.

With effective dialogue, creativity, and community involvement, schools can transform into more welcoming, productive, and healthy environments despite initial challenges.

References

CORDEIRO, Mirella. Cell Phones in Schools: Clear Your Doubts about the Device Ban. CNN Brasil. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/educacao/celulares-nas-escolas-tire-suas-duvidas-sobre-a-proibicao-dos-aparelhos/.

MATTOS, Laura; VIANA, Luden; STAEL, Giovanna. “Students Develop New Interests Following Phone Ban, Educator Says.” Folha de S.Paulo, January 29, 2025. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/tv/2025/01/estudantes-criam-novos-interesses-com-proibicao-a-celulares-diz-educadora.shtml?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (MEC). “Restriction on Cell-Phone Use in Schools Now in Effect.” Government of Brazil, February 2025. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.gov.br/mec/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/2025/fevereiro/restricao-ao-uso-do-celular-nas-escolas-ja-esta-valendo?utm_source=chatgpt.com.