Mexico: Mexico has unveiled nationwide rules restricting cellphone use in public schools, with the new measures set to take effect on November 3 as concerns grow over the effects of screen time on children.
The rules will apply across Mexico’s public education system and restrict cellphone and tablet use in primary and secondary schools from the beginning to the end of the school day. The measure places Mexico among a growing number of countries introducing clearer limits on children’s access to mobile devices and social media.
Governments in several countries have been debating restrictions on technology use in schools as concerns increase over screen time and its potential impact on young people. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on September 21 that state education officials had reached a consensus on the new measure.
High schools will determine their own limits for cellphone use, with the rules designed to ensure that devices are used safely and responsibly for educational purposes. Universities will also be encouraged to promote responsible technology use focused on digital citizenship, ethics and critical thinking.
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Education Minister Mario Delgado stated that the agreement represented a step towards protecting children, adolescents and young people while supporting their mental health, learning and overall development. The policy is also intended to strengthen attention in classrooms, encourage face-to-face interaction and support stronger community engagement among students.
The move comes amid wider international efforts to establish boundaries around children’s use of smartphones, social media and other digital platforms. Australia became the first country to ban social media access for children under 16 in 2025, while several other countries introduced or considered similar restrictions in 2026.
Social media companies have also faced increasing scrutiny over the potential effects of their platforms on children and teenagers. Meta Platforms agreed in August to pay up to $18 billion over the next decade and introduce strict limits on teenagers’ use of Facebook and Instagram to resolve claims that the platforms were designed to encourage addictive use among children.
Mexico’s new school rules focus specifically on mobile devices used in educational settings rather than imposing a nationwide ban on social media access for minors. Under the new framework, schools will be responsible for implementing the restrictions while allowing provisions for educational purposes and other circumstances where device use may be necessary.
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