Mexico discusses digital device impact on youth and regulation

At the Regional Centro-Sur Forum hosted by BUAP, Mexican officials and UNESCO representatives discussed the impact of digital devices on children and adolescents. Federal Secretary of Public Education Mario Delgado announced a forthcoming presidential decree aimed at requiring social media platforms to immediately remove content that incites violence or criminal acts. The decree also proposes restricting device use in primary and secondary schools, while promoting pedagogical digital platforms in higher education.

Data from a survey of over 575,000 teachers indicates significant challenges related to device usage: 78.1% reported difficulties with student attention, 75% noted memory issues, and 67% observed a decrease in face-to-face interaction and creativity. UNESCO representative Andrés Morales emphasized the need for digital and algorithmic literacy to foster critical thinking.

In Spain, a qualitative study of secondary school students evaluated the effectiveness of cybersecurity training programs. The research found that while programs like Ciberayudante and Ciberexpert@ improve classroom coexistence and pedagogical functionality, they must be continuously updated and integrated into family and school tutoring plans to remain effective against evolving digital risks.