Mexican Senate approves cell phone restrictions in schools

The Mexican Senate's combined Education and Legislative Studies Committees have unanimously approved a reform to the General Education Law to regulate the use of personal digital devices in schools. The reform establishes a tiered approach based on educational levels.

In basic education (preschool, primary, and secondary), the use of personal cell phones and electronic devices will be restricted during the entire school day. Exceptions are permitted for pedagogical purposes, emergencies, health needs, or disabilities. For upper secondary education (high school), individual schools will establish their own usage rules through community assemblies and internal regulations. In higher education, the reform promotes responsible use while respecting institutional autonomy.

Beyond restrictions, the reform integrates media and informational digital literacy into study programs to teach students how to navigate the internet safely and identify misinformation. While the measure aims to reduce distractions and social media risks, some legislators, such as Carolina Viggiano, noted that prohibition alone is not a complete solution and emphasized the need to teach correct technology usage and consult students on rules affecting them.