Tamaulipas officials consider cell phone restrictions in schools

Education officials and legislators in Tamaulipas, Mexico, are discussing potential restrictions on mobile phone use in classrooms to combat distractions, bullying, and excessive social media access.

Miguel Ángel Valdez García, the Secretary of Education for Tamaulipas, stated that regional forums show a consensus toward prohibiting cell phones in schools. He noted that approximately 85 percent of participants support such a ban and indicated that a federal instruction from the Secretariat of Education is expected. If implemented, a law would be required to establish operational guidelines and sanctions for non-compliance.

Local deputy Yuriria Iturbe Vázquez proposed a middle-ground approach where students may carry phones for safety during commutes but must keep them in their backpacks or have them collected during class hours. She emphasized that while technology is important, limits are necessary to prevent misuse and violence among students. She also noted that schools should not be held liable for the loss or damage of expensive devices.