Mexico Reviews Proposal to Curb Cellphone Use in Classrooms

A federal lawmaker has introduced a bill to restrict the use of cellphones by students during school hours in Mexico’s basic education system, citing concerns over learning outcomes, well-being, and child protection.

The initiative, presented by PVEM Deputy Marco de la Mora, seeks to amend the General Education Law to prohibit the use of mobile phones, smartphones, and similar devices by students while classes are in session. The proposal was referred to the Chamber of Deputies’ Education Commission for review.

Under the bill, the prohibition would not apply when devices are authorized for pedagogical purposes or required for health or disability-related reasons, provided these are duly accredited. The measure instructs education authorities to issue guidelines that clearly define the ban, specify the three exceptions and establish criteria for device storage, power-off procedures, communication with families, and response protocols for teaching and administrative staff.

In the statement of purpose, the lawmaker said the initiative is not intended to limit the use of technology in educational institutions, but rather to regulate cellphone use during school hours. The goal, he argued, is to promote social interaction among students, improve concentration and encourage age-appropriate recreational activities away from mobile screens, while limiting exposure to social media and content that could affect development.

The proposal emphasizes that restricting cellphone use would not eliminate communication between students and parents. Education authorities would be required to ensure open and reliable channels of communication throughout the school day.

According to the initiative, the measure prioritizes the best interests of children by protecting their right to an education environment free from distractions and potential risks. The lawmaker cited data from the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which indicates that excessive use of mobile devices in classrooms can reduce concentration, negatively affect academic performance, and lower information retention by up to 20%.

The bill also links inappropriate cellphone use to adverse effects on students’ emotional well-being, including reduced face-to-face interaction, information overload, exposure to inappropriate content, and an increase in cyberbullying and digital harassment. It notes that even the presence of a device in the classroom can interfere with attention, a factor that has led several countries to adopt restrictive measures to protect children and create safer school environments.

The initiative argues that internet-enabled cellphone use by minors requires adequate supervision and guidance. To that end, it proposes amendments and additions to Articles 9, 84, and 113 of the General Education Law to provide a clearer legal framework for regulating device use in schools.

Children who own smartphones before age 12 face higher risks of mental health issues and physical health challenges, according to new research that adds to growing evidence linking early technology exposure with broader concerns about adolescent well-being and social connection, reports MBN. The findings, published in the Pediatrics journal, coincide with rising global attention to youth mental health, expanding use of AI in education and care systems, and new policy actions responding to loneliness, obesity, and digital dependence.

Researchers from Children’s Hospital Philadelphia, the University of California at Berkeley, and Columbia University analyzed data from more than 10,000 participants in the NIH-funded Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. The team found that children who received smartphones at age 12 or younger were more likely to experience depression, insufficient sleep, and obesity one year before peers without phones. 

“We did not even look at what the kids did on the phone,” says Ran Barzilay, Lead Author and Child Psychiatrist, Children’s Hospital Philadelphia. “We basically asked one simple question: does the mere factor of having one’s own smartphone at this age range have anything to do with health outcomes?”

The study focuses on a period of rapid technological change that experts say is reshaping childhood, learning, and emotional development. Jonathan Haidt, Social Psychologist, New York University, has described a shift between 2010 and 2015 from “game-based” to “phone-based” childhood, which he argues coincided with significant increases in adolescent depression, anxiety, and self-harm. Public health authorities have also raised alarms. In a 2023 advisory, Vivek Murthy, Former US Surgeon General, urged families to create “tech-free zones” to protect sleep and interpersonal relationships, while several US states moved to restrict smartphone use in schools.