The president of the Azores Section of the Order of Psychologists, Marco Santos, proposed on Thursday to introduce restrictions on the use of mobile phones in schools in the region, in order to prevent abuse and promote interpersonal relationships between students.
“Students will certainly have time to use smartphones at home and in other spaces. In the case of schools, interaction is essential, without technology, without anything,” insisted the Azorean psychologist during a hearing at the Social Affairs Committee of the Regional Assembly, held in Ponta Delgada.
The deputies listened to the Order of Psychologists, on a proposal of the Left Blocwhich defends “the promotion of the healthy use of technologies in schools”, specifically the Ban on the use of cell phones for students in the 1st and 2nd cycle of basic educationas a way to minimise excessive screen use among school-aged children. BE also wants to ensure that all students in the region can have free access to paper textbooks.
Marco Santos agrees with the introduction of restrictions on the use of smart phones Is tablets in educational establishments in the region and even warns of the risks that new technologies can bring to children, who stop communicating with each other and practically do not exercise during recess, “because they are always on their cell phones.”
“They use technologies that can provide some Moments that constitute ‘cyberbullying’ or possibly the feature itself ‘body shaming’“which ridicules other people’s bodies,” warned the president of the Azores Section of the Order of Psychologists, recalling that there are several countries that are already “abandoning digital textbooks,” especially among first and second cycle students.
An idea that is also defended by José Freire, president of the Desliga Association, created in the Azores in 2022 to raise awareness of the risks of the Internet, especially among children, who are concerned not only about the excessive use of smart phones in a school environment, but also in a family environment.
“These kids don’t sleep! They arrive at school, completely sleepy, at 8:30 am. They take their backpack, put it on their desk and go to sleep! And we let them sleep…”, laments this teacher, referring to what he often sees in classrooms, among students who spend too much time on their mobile phones.
José Freire understands that, rather than drawing the attention of students and teachers to the negative consequences of unregulated Internet use, Parents and guardians also need to be warned.
The teacher also leaves a warning: “We are killing our children, little by little! This is a drug that is killing everything!”
Source: Observadora
