UNESCO, the UN agency focused on education, science and culture, released a worrying report on the risks of excessive use of smartphones in the classroom. The entity warns of the negative impacts that prolonged exposure to technology can have on children’s educational performance and their emotional stability.
The agency suggests that legislators adopt measures to prevent the inappropriate use of cell phones during classes, aiming to improve student learning and protect them from possible problems, such as virtual bullying.
Excessive use of smartphones and its impact on education
According to UNESCO, there is evidence that indicates that using smartphones excessively can harm children’s educational performance. Prolonged exposure to screens can also negatively affect students’ emotional stability.
The agency highlights that distractions during classes caused by the use of cell phones can disrupt teaching and compromise students’ concentration.
Image: Paula Giolita/Reproduction
UNESCO argues that banning cell phones in schools would send an important message about the role of technologies digital in education. The agency emphasizes that physical interaction between teachers and students cannot be replaced by digital options.
Audrey Azoulay, director of the agency, warns of the importance of keeping the learner’s needs first and supporting teachers, highlighting that online connections should not replace human interaction.
The entity also highlights the importance of countries carefully analyzing the benefits and harms of using technology in education, and warns that the positive impacts and economic efficiency may be overestimated. According to the agency’s researchers, not all technological changes constitute progress.
It is necessary to establish clear objectives for the conscious use of technology in the classroom, understanding when its use can be beneficial and when it can harm students’ learning.
Scientific evidence and influence of private companies
UNESCO emphasizes that scientific evidence points to greater harm than benefit in the adoption of digital tools in classroom.
The agency also highlights concern about the growing influence of private education companies in shaping educational policies around the world, noting that many positive studies have been funded by these companies.
The need for an independent and cautious analysis of the use of technology in education is a central concern of the organization. A careful analysis of the benefits and harms of technology is essential to guarantee quality education, free from influences that prioritize commercial interests over the well-being of students.
