Sheinbaum Plans to Restrict Cellphone Use in Schools by August

Mexico City — Mexico’s federal government is moving forward with a national regulation to limit the use of mobile devices in schools, a policy backed by 70% of parents surveyed nationwide.

The administration expects to finalize the restriction policy by late August, with the rules taking effect at the start of the school year on Monday, August 31.

Under the plan, officials will seek an agreement with teachers to keep smartphones out of classrooms for the entire school day. The government also plans to hold public forums with academics to discuss the scope of the regulation and examine the impact of artificial intelligence on education. In addition, schools will host assemblies called “ABC of Emotions,” initially aimed at third-year secondary students and upper secondary students, with the possibility of expanding to lower grades.

The policy draws on scientific findings presented by Jonathan Haidt, author of “The Anxious Generation,” about the risks of early digital exposure. According to the government, between 2010 and 2015, childhood development shifted from in-person play to interaction mediated almost entirely by mobile devices. The administration links the use of smart technology to rising rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addictive behaviors, reduced attention spans, and sexual harassment.

Officials also criticized tech companies for using artificial intelligence to maximize minors’ engagement for commercial purposes, saying these corporations prioritize selling attention over young people’s well-being.

Mexico’s regulatory push aligns with measures adopted by other democracies to protect students’ mental health. In March, a court case in Los Angeles highlighted how tech companies handle minors’ use of social media. The global debate is increasingly focused on banning smartphones in educational settings and raising the minimum age for opening digital accounts to 16.