Mothers of some students in private schools in São Paulo, Brazil, have launched a campaign calling for a ban on mobile phones in schools. Folha de São Paulo
Recently, mothers of some students in private schools in São Paulo, Brazil, have launched a campaign calling for a ban on mobile phones in schools, and proposed that different families reach a consensus so that children can only have smartphones after they turn 14 and use social networks after they turn 16.

Folha de São Paulo, Brazil, reported on June 6 that the campaign, called "Desconecta", was launched by a group of mothers of private school students and has attracted more than 15,000 followers on the social media Instagram in less than two weeks. cell phone jammer

The "Desconecta" campaign is based on scientific research and takes into account a series of possible harms caused by using smartphones in children and adolescents, including anxiety, depression, lack of concentration, learning and social barriers, etc. In addition, the campaign also refers to the opinions of Brazilian pediatrician Daniel Becker. Becker, who is influential on social media platforms, has urged schools to ban mobile phones, even during recess.

Becker pointed out that using mobile phones in class will obviously interfere with learning. Simply placing a mobile phone next to a child will distract them, and recess should be an important time for students to play, walk around, get to know each other, and develop basic skills such as communication skills.

In addition, the founder of this movement believes that before the introduction of regulations restricting the use of mobile phones, different families should reach a consensus on banning mobile phones, because the more friends without mobile phones, the less pressure children need to use mobile phones for socializing. Camila Bruzzi, one of the initiators of the "offline" movement, said that they cannot directly and quickly change laws or school rules, so the only thing they can control is not to give children mobile phones.

Fernanda Cytrynowicz, another initiator of the "offline" movement, emphasized that it is not to deny the importance of technology, but to oppose the excessive use of technology. "Many parents don't want to give their children smartphones, but they are pressured to give them because they find that if their children can't dance on TikTok, they will feel excluded from (the social circle)," she said.

Therefore, reaching a consensus among different families has become a solution. For example, now children's birthday parties are invited by mobile phones, but if no one has a mobile phone, there are other ways to invite.