Mexico will implement a nationwide ban on cellphones in classrooms starting Tuesday, a federal initiative aimed at reducing children's and teenagers' electronic device usage. This move follows similar measures adopted by over a hundred countries in the last decade.
Spearheaded by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the initiative has garnered support from experts who believe it can decrease young Mexicans' exposure to technology and mitigate related issues such as attention deficit, stress, and anxiety. Mexican authorities are also preparing regulations to compel digital platforms to remove content featuring hate speech, abuse, sexual violence, harassment, and cyberbullying.
However, the cellphone ban, effective November 3, has encountered resistance in some regions. Parents express concerns about their ability to communicate with their children amidst ongoing violence, citing that children and adolescents are not immune to these dangers. According to the Network for Children’s Rights in Mexico (REDIM), one in ten individuals aged 0-17 in Mexico were victims of organized crime-related crimes in the first half of this year.
Francisco Ortiz, state representative for the National Union of Parents in Sinaloa, voiced opposition, stating, "I don’t think parents will accept not giving their children a means of digital communication, especially when those children … are spending so much time at home instead of at school." He accused the government of disregarding parental input and enacting regulations that "go against parental authority, against the rights of parents."
The decree permits cellphone use in schools only for educational purposes under teacher supervision or for personal emergencies, disabilities, and health needs. Students may possess phones on their commute to school.
Benigno Gómez, a parent from Reynosa, acknowledged the educational goals but found the restriction difficult for students in potentially risky situations. Mexican authorities have largely focused on the detrimental effects of cellphones on minors, with the Secretary of Public Education, Mario Delgado, stating the administration aims to "prevent addiction to digital platforms and the disorders they cause in minors."
Recent events underscore parental anxieties. In Escuinapa, Sinaloa, a bus carrying high school students was shot at by a motorcyclist, resulting in minor injuries to the driver. A video of students seeking shelter circulated on social media, highlighting their reliance on cellphones even in emergencies. One parent immediately contacted her daughter, finding solace in hearing her voice, and questioned the practicality of the ban.
Israel Sánchez, president of the National Union of Parents, views the ban as progress but emphasized the need for awareness campaigns for parents and training for teachers for effective implementation.
Dr. Lucía Magis-Weinberg, a neurodevelopmental researcher at the University of Washington, noted that Mexico is joining a global trend in regulating cellphones, calling it a "double-edged sword" with benefits for socialization and information access, but also risks of cognitive damage and attention-maximizing platforms. Restrictions on cellphones in schools are already in place in 114 countries, including France, Ecuador, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, and Costa Rica. Some U.S. states also maintain bans.