As we previously reported, on January 1, 2021, sanitary and epidemiological regulations that prohibit the use of mobile communications for educational purposes went into effect. Additionally, the State Duma recently passed a bill outright prohibiting the use of cell phones in class.
Can you now bring any kind of phone to school? And what about the consequences for breaking the rules? We respond!
On December 6, during a plenary session, the State Duma approved amendments to bill No. 470837-8 in its second and third readings simultaneously. The bill prohibits schoolchildren from using mobile phones and tablets with SIM cards in the classroom, even for instructional purposes.
The bill also mentions requiring elementary and middle school students to take a labor (technology) class.
On the day of its official publication, the cell phone ban law will go into effect. On September 1, 2024, the law requiring labor lessons will go into effect.
According to the "On Education in the Russian Federation" law, students are not allowed to "use communication devices during classes" unless it is necessary to protect the lives or health of other students or staff members of educational institutions.
A delegation of deputies led by State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin brought the document before the chamber in October for review. The version of the bill that governs how schoolchildren use communication devices, including smartphones, in class that was approved on first reading in November said that using smartphones in class is permitted for both emergency situations and educational reasons. Nowadays, using a phone in class is all but forbidden.
In his Telegram channel, Volodin mentioned that educators and parents are in favor of the innovations as well. He is sure that the choice made will raise the standard of education for kids.
"Labor education is an integral part of the educational process," he added. According to Volodin, "if you inculcate in a child a love of hard work from childhood, then everything will be fine for him in the future."
- So, is it possible to bring a phone to school?
- Is it possible to “culturally relax” with a phone during recess?
- What will happen if a student disobeys and uses a phone during lessons?
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So, is it possible to bring a phone to school?
Indeed! Restrictions are still only allowed by law during the schooling process. Breaks are not discussed.
It also goes without saying that kids should (or can) have cell phones since the law permits them to use them in an emergency.
Is it possible to “culturally relax” with a phone during recess?
Indeed. The only subject covered by the bill is class time, or lessons. A child can use his phone however he pleases during recess, as it is not school time (of course, within the law).
What will happen if a student disobeys and uses a phone during lessons?
Nothing appears to be the case.
We consider this to be the "weakest" aspect of the new law:
- the teacher has no right to take away the child"s phone without the permission of the parents;
- it is almost impossible to punish a student, especially in the junior and middle grades, for disobedience.
The only option left is to give the schools themselves the authority to decide on this matter; they are allowed to approve internal rules (charters) that contain measures that could affect students.
It must be acknowledged that, based on online and in-person reviews, not all educators and parents are in favor of the innovation. Furthermore, generally speaking, with regard to using the phone expressly for academic purposes.
The following are the "against" arguments that are most frequently heard:
- it is convenient to use the phone in class as a reference book, dictionary, calculator, stopwatch;
- you can download teaching aids, rather than buy them;
- you need to teach children to search for the necessary information and use it;
- with a phone you can make lessons more interesting;
- you can conduct listening using a phone.
However, many believe that a schoolchild’s mere possession of a phone is required:
- for use in an emergency;
- to contact parents with their child in case of an emergency at home;
- if lessons are cancelled;
- to take pictures of homework;
- to be able to record unacceptable behavior of teachers (this argument is heard especially often);
- to be able to have fun during recess when there is no opportunity to actively move.
Furthermore, a lot of parents think that you can be completely distracted and enjoy yourself in class without a phone; in other words, the issue isn’t with the bad smartphone but rather with the student’s disinterest in the material or the dull instruction.
In the event that it is decided to seize the devices during the lesson, there is also a technical question regarding the location of the "prohibited" electronics. Parents worry about their property because teachers don’t want to be in charge of ensuring the safety of pricey equipment.
Additionally, a large number of votes are "in favor" of outright prohibiting phones from schools. Arguments put forth by proponents of recent legal amendments:
- The phone in the lesson distracts from study;
- The phone weanes to think;
- You can contact your parents if necessary through teachers;
- There will be no extra reason to emphasize inequality;
- Opportunitions for publishing classmates will decrease;
- Dependence on gadgets will decrease.
And what are your thoughts on the total prohibition against using cell phones in class?
Julia Vorontsova 12.12.23
By limiting students’ access to their devices during school hours, the law prohibiting phones in schools seeks to increase concentration and decrease distractions in the learning environment. It is anticipated that this adjustment will result in a more concentrated learning environment, assisting kids in becoming more involved in their education and having more meaningful peer interactions. Schools will impose this by clearly defining the times and locations in which phones may be used, along with sanctions for breaking the rules. However, access to phones will still be permitted in an emergency or for supervised educational purposes.
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