The Government of Catalonia has announced the approval of a regulation that prohibits primary school students from bringing cell phones to school starting next school year. In addition, restrictions on the use of cell phones will be established for high school students.
The measure, which is expected to be approved during this Tuesday’s Consell Executiu meeting, marks a significant change in Catalonia’s education policy.
Thus, primary school students will not be allowed to bring their cell phones to school, unless there are exceptions related to health or the need for the student to be monitored for some reason.
As for secondary school students (12 to 16 years old), they will be allowed to have their cell phones inside the classroom, but on the condition that they remain switched off during classes. They may only be activated when deemed necessary by teachers for specific academic activities.
Ban on the use of cell phones: support from the Consell Escolar de Catalunya
The initiative comes after the Consell Escolar de Catalunya (CEC) approved in December a document proposing to restrict the use of cell phones in primary school and limit it in secondary school.
After more than thirty discussions and meetings with various stakeholders involved in education, the proposal was endorsed and is now expected to be implemented starting next school year.
This measure places Catalonia among the autonomous communities in Spain that have decided to address the issue of cell phone use in schools. So far, Madrid, Galicia, Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia already have similar regulations.
Age of access to cell phones and proposal of the Ministry of Education
The primary ban and secondary restrictions are also aligned with a broader proposal by the Spanish Ministry of Education. A study by Unicef and the University of Santiago de Compostela revealed that the average age of the first cell phone is 10.9 years old.
The Ministry of Education is backing the State School Board’s proposal to restrict the use of smartphones in schools and high schools.
For her part, the president of the State School Board, Encarna Cruces, pointed out the importance of training new generations in the responsible use of technology. He stated that, although we live in a digital society, it is essential to find alternatives in teaching and to promote traditional and convivial activities.
After the approval of the regulation, it is expected that guidelines will be sent to schools for its implementation.
Although the ban and restrictions are focused on cell phones, it remains to be seen whether the regulations will extend to additional devices, such as smart watches with geolocators, which have become increasingly common among elementary school students.
