Students without cell phones? Challenges to promoting media and information literacy in Brazil and Portugal

Abstract

The use of cell phones in schools has been associated with negative impacts on student learning and health. Given the evidence, a growing number of countries are imposing restrictions on their use. This article aims to analyze the measures limiting the use of digital devices in education in Brazil and Portugal and their relationship with public policies on Media and Information Literacy (MIL). Its specific objectives are: 1) to analyze the law on cell phone use in schools in these countries; 2) to identify if and how this law interacts with media and information literacy policies; 3) to compare the results between the two countries; 4) to present contributions to ensure the integration of the law on cell phone use with MIL. This is a theoretical study with a qualitative approach and an exploratory-descriptive objective. Regarding the findings on the first specific objective, it is observed that both countries have already made progress in detailing the recommendations, although Brazil covers all of Basic Education and Portugal only the 1st and 2nd cycles. Regarding the second specific objective, Brazil has mandated that all schools include digital and media literacy in their curriculum, while Portugal has not. Regarding the third specific objective, it is evident that, in terms of legislation, Brazil presents a more robust and detailed policy. Thus, the legislation analyzed represents progress for both countries, but needs to be implemented in daily school life and beyond.