Cell Phone Ban in Classroom and Petition by Experts and Actors: Here's What to Know

In recent years, the debate about the use of cell phones in the classroom and on social media by young people has reached a critical point. Prominent figures in the world of pedagogy, education and culture such as Daniele Novara, Alberto Pellai, Pierfrancesco Favino and Carlotta Natoli, have launched a petition asking the Italian government to take decisive action: ban the use of smartphones to children under 14 and prevent children under 16 from signing up to social media. This request has found fertile ground in a context in which the government is also strengthening the rules on the use of mobile devices in schools and in particular with the ban on cell phones in the classroom.

Cell phone ban in class, what happens

Il cell phone ban in class has received new attention with the circular from the Minister of Education, Giuseppe Valditara, signed on July 11, 2023. The crackdown on the use of smartphones represents a significant change for the current school year, marking a change from the 2022 regulation that allowed the use of devices for educational purposes under supervision.

With this circular, Italy adopts a total restriction on the use of cell phones in classrooms, requiring schools to update their regulations and provide disciplinary sanctions for those who violate the ban. The goal is to create a more conducive environment for learning and reduce distractions.

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The ban on cell phones in class is not just a control measure, but a measure to improve the quality of learning and promote socialization.

Without digital distractions, students participate more actively in lessons and develop social skills more solid. Regulating the use of technology at a young age is therefore essential to preserve their emotional and cognitive development.

The petition

In the meantime a petition launched by prominent figures such as Daniele Novara and Alberto Pellai asks the Government to introduce stricter restrictions on the use of technology by minors.

The goal is ban the use of smartphones children under 14 and prevent them from signing up to social media before they turn 16. Experts highlight the dangers associated with early use of digital devices, such as cyberbullying, addiction and a decline in social and cognitive skills.

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According to neuroscience, excessive use of smartphones and social media during childhood and adolescence can negatively interfere with brain development, particularly in areas related to learning and emotional regulation. Studies show that young people are more vulnerable to the dopaminergic effects of social media and video games, which can influence their psychological well-being and self-perception.

The appeal is not against technology, but promotes a more conscious use and responsible, emphasizing how schools that have banned smartphones have improved student socialization and learning.