Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum launches forums to regulate social media for minors

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a series of regional forums to draft a consensus‑based regulation on the use of social media, digital platforms and artificial intelligence by children and adolescents. The first three meetings will be held on 19 August in Nuevo León, 3 September in Chiapas and 17 September in Guerrero. The process, led by the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP), will involve teachers, parents, specialists and civil society to gather scientific evidence and human‑rights perspectives before presenting a bill to the Congress of the Union.

Sheinbaum emphasized that the aim is not to impose rules arbitrarily but to reach agreement, stating: "No se trata de regular por regular, sino que más bien entre todas y todos lleguemos a un acuerdo." Sixteen Mexican states already have regulations limiting cellphone use in schools, and the new proposal will build on those measures to address issues such as addiction, sleep disturbances, mental‑health impacts and online bullying. SEP Secretary Mario Delgado and legislator Samuel Ríos have voiced support for the inclusive, evidence‑based approach.

The initiative will be accompanied by weekly briefings on digital education and will seek to promote responsible technology use without demonising the tools.