Worldview Advisory
Mexico

Mexico bans cellphones in elementary and secondary schools from Nov. 3

A federal decree limits student device use during the school day, and some parents in violence-stricken areas say they could lose contact with their children in emergencies.

Photo: Winnipeg Free Press

What happened

Mexican schools began banning cellphones from classrooms on Nov. 3 as part of a federal effort to limit children's and teenagers' use of electronic devices. AP News+1 President Claudia Sheinbaum's decree prohibits cellphones and electronic devices inside elementary and middle schools throughout the school day. AP News Use is allowed only for educational purposes under a teacher's guidance, or for personal emergencies, disability and health needs, and students may carry their phones on the way to school. AP News The rules cover public and private primary and secondary schools, during lessons and breaks, while each upper secondary institution will set its own rules. ua.news The measure follows similar steps taken by more than a hundred countries over the last decade. AP News+2

Around it

The Education Ministry is promoting the change under the slogan "Turn off the screen and turn on your imagination," and Education Minister Mario Delgado Carrillo said the aim is to improve concentration, social interaction and responsible technology use. ua.news The ban rests on a Sept. 18 resolution by the National Council of Educational Authorities, and experts back it as a way to reduce attention deficit, stress and anxiety among young Mexicans. Newsday+1 Some parents fear being unable to reach their children amid ongoing violence, from which children and adolescents are not spared. Newsday Authorities are also preparing regulations this month that would require digital platforms to remove posts containing hate speech, abuse, sexual violence, harassment, cyberbullying and other illegal content. Newser+1

What comes next

Regulations requiring digital platforms to remove illegal content are due to be implemented this month. Newser+1

Sources

  1. AP NewsMexico bans cellphones in schools, despite opposition...
  2. NewserMexico's Controversial Ban: No Cellphones in Schools
  3. Winnipeg Free PressMexico bans cellphones in schools, despite opposition from parents worried about violence
  4. NewsdayMexico bans cellphones in schools, despite opposition from parents worried about violence
  5. ua.newsMexico restricts phones and tablets in schools

More from Mexico

Worldview Advisory

Welcome to Worldview Advisory. We're a public affairs and capital markets advisory firm, focused on political risk for asset owners, investors, boards and executives. How can we help?