Mexico to Ban Cell Phones in Elementary, Secondary Schools

Mexico will ban students from using mobile phones in elementary and secondary schools from November, joining a growing number of countries seeking to limit distractions linked to social media.

Under the new rule, students will not be allowed to use cell phones during classes or recess, except in emergencies or for planned school activities.

President Claudia Sheinbaum said the measure was aimed at encouraging creativity and curbing excessive phone use, particularly where social media could have harmful effects.

“The goal is to recover creativity and avoid indiscriminate use of phones, which in relation to social media can have very negative effects,” Sheinbaum said. 

The restriction will not cover students in their final three years before university or those already enrolled in higher education.

The government introduced the policy after consulting educators and specialists about the effects of social media addiction on children and adolescents.

The Education Ministry said 81 per cent of teachers surveyed supported restricting cell phone use in schools.

Mexico joins countries including France, New Zealand and Peru that have introduced varying degrees of restrictions on mobile phones in schools.

The measures come as concerns grow over the effects of excessive phone and social media use, including depression, body image problems, social isolation and suicide risk.