[REVISION HISTORY]

Mexico to restrict mobile phone use in schools

Updated 62 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-15 02:54 UTC → 2026-10-20 06:34 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Mexican Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) and the National Council of Educational Authorities (CONAEDU) have finalized a mandate to regulate mobile device use in schools. Following a unanimous agreement by education secretaries from all 32 states, President Claudia Sheinbaum and Secretary of Education Mario Delgado announced that the restriction on cell phones and digital screens will take effect on November 3, 2026. The regulations, published as Agreement 09/09/26, apply to both public and private primary and secondary schools, prohibiting use during classroom instruction and recess, with exceptions for medical needs, disabilities, or pedagogical activities. In ~~October~~ August 2026, the ~~United Commissions of Education and Legislative Studies of the Mexican Senate unanimously approved~~ federal government launched a ~~reform~~ national consultation involving over 1.2 million teachers to gather input on the ~~General Law~~ impact of ~~Education to codify these regulations. This reform maintains a tiered approach: strict restrictions for basic education, institutional autonomy~~ smartphones on cognitive development, mental health, and digital risks like cyberbullying. President Sheinbaum expressed support for ~~upper secondary schools via community assemblies,~~ the restrictions to combat anxiety and encourage traditional learning methods. While some states like Colima have already moved toward reform, others like Tamaulipas are discussing a ~~focus on responsible technology use~~ middle-ground approach where devices are kept in ~~higher education.~~ backpacks during class. Stakeholders have offered varying perspectives. The reform also aims to integrate media literacy, information literacy, and artificial intelligence comprehension into study plans. While the reform aims to reduce distractions, legislator Carolina Viggiano noted that “prohibition alone is not Mexican Internet Association (AIMX) advocated for a ~~complete solution”~~ distinction between recreational and ~~emphasized the importance of teaching correct technology usage. At the state level, Guanajuato has announced it will implement the~~ educational use, warning that an absolute ban ~~in primary~~ could hinder pedagogical innovation and ~~secondary schools starting November 3, following federal agreements. The state will initiate a two-to-three-month transition period focused on awareness~~ teacher administrative tasks. Additionally, legislators like Ruth Salinas Reyes highlighted the need to ~~address concerns regarding student concentration. However,~~ regulate artificial intelligence to prevent it from hindering essential reasoning skills. In Baja California Sur, the ~~Movimiento Democrático Magisterial de Guanajuato~~ SEP has ~~called for clearer regulations~~ begun holding informative assemblies with parents and administrators to ~~provide “legal certainty”~~ prepare for ~~teachers facing potential complaints during enforcement. Public sentiment in Mexico shows varying levels of support; in Tabasco,~~ the ~~Secretary of Education reported that approximately 92 percent~~ implementation of ~~surveyed parents support regulating device use during school hours.~~ these regulations.

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