Portuguese President António José Seguro signed a law on Friday, August 28, extending the ban on smartphone use in schools to students up to the ninth year of basic education.
Education, Science and Innovation Minister Fernando Alexandre announced the measure around a month ago, saying the decision was based on international trends and the findings of a new survey of school principals.
The survey found that schools banning mobile phones reported “greater social interaction” and “fewer cases of indiscipline.”
During the previous school year, the ban was mandatory only for students in the first and second cycles, covering pupils up to the sixth year of basic education. However, around half of schools in the third cycle also chose to ban smartphone use.
Schools will use the first term to adapt to the new rules and prepare for their implementation, which will take effect on January 1, 2027.
