Beginning on 3rd November, the use of mobile phones and tablets will be prohibited in primary and secondary schools across Mexico during school hours. Mario Delgado, head of the Ministry of Public Education (SEP), announced that this decision was reached collaboratively with the National Council of Educational Authorities (Conaedu) following a series of consultations and discussions regarding the impact of digital devices on learning processes and the mental health of children and adolescents.
Delgado emphasised that this agreement is a significant step towards safeguarding the rights of children and young people, focusing on their mental well-being, educational development, and overall growth, thereby enhancing human interaction and community engagement.
Regulation Varies by Educational Level
According to educational authorities, the regulations concerning mobile phones will differ based on the educational level. In primary and secondary schools, the use of these devices will be banned throughout the entire school day, including during break times. However, at the upper secondary level, each institution will have the authority to establish its own regulations in consultation with the educational community, prioritising pedagogical and critical use of these devices. Universities and higher education institutions will retain autonomy to set their internal policies.
The Secretary of Public Education clarified that the new strategy does not prohibit students at any level from bringing mobile phones to school. The objective is to regulate their usage during school hours, allowing for exceptions in emergency situations or for specific educational activities that are justified and explicitly approved by the respective authorities at each institution.
Existing Norms and Future Implementation
President Claudia Sheinbaum highlighted that the regulation of mobile phone usage in classrooms is not a novel concept in Mexico. She pointed out that at least 16 federal entities already have existing regulations in place regarding this matter. The president announced that the agreement would be published in the Official Diary of the Federation (DOF) the following day, with implementation set for the early days of November.
Delgado noted that the new regulations are the outcome of various initiatives aimed at considering the opinions of different stakeholders involved in the educational processes. These initiatives include regional forums held in recent months, where academics, teachers, school leaders, and parents discussed the issue, as well as a national consultation that engaged over 565,396 education workers.
Teacher Support and Educational Performance
The survey revealed that over 80% of teachers supported the regulation of digital devices in educational institutions, recognising that the use of these gadgets disrupts school activities and diminishes students’ attention spans. Delgado linked these findings to the results of the most recent Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2025), which indicated a historical lag among 15-year-old students in science, reading comprehension, and mathematics.
This new regulation is part of a broader national strategy aimed at ensuring the well-being of the younger population. It includes a programme known as “The ABC of Emotions”, designed to address mental health and socio-emotional balance for young individuals aged 14 to 18 through a comprehensive preventive approach.
Broader Implications for Youth and Technology
On several occasions, Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed her administration’s intention to regulate the use of social media, mobile devices, and artificial intelligence systems among young people, particularly to mitigate potential impacts on their educational performance and to protect their mental health.
With this new regulation, Mexico joins a growing list of countries that have implemented certain restrictions to limit electronic devices within classrooms. According to UNESCO data, the number of nations with some form of national regulation governing mobile phone usage in educational institutions has significantly increased. Between 2023 and 2026, the percentage rose from 24% to 58%, indicating that there are currently 114 educational systems with specific rules in this area.