Politics · Mexico · 1 hr ago
Mexico restricts personal devices in basic schools during the school day
From November 3, Mexico’s basic schools restrict personal devices throughout the school day, including breaks.
The rules cover public and private early childhood, preschool, primary and secondary schools, and apply to phones, smartwatches and other personal electronic devices.
Students may bring devices, but schools will set local arrangements for keeping them put away.
Teachers may allow devices for planned learning activities, while exceptions also cover emergencies, health needs, disability, accessibility and inclusion.
The Education Ministry says the goal is to reduce distractions, support concentration and encourage students to spend breaks interacting in person.
Parents have raised safety concerns, especially in areas affected by violence, where they say phones can help them reach their children.
The rules do not set one automatic national penalty; schools will explain and apply them locally, and education authorities will review implementation every six months.
Mexico’s ban on students using personal cellphones and other electronic devices during the school day takes effect on Nov. 3.
The restriction applies to public and private schools serving students from initial education through secondary school, including breaks.
Devices may be used for pre-planned educational activities under teacher guidance, emergencies, health needs, disability, accessibility, inclusion or exceptional circumstances.
The Education Ministry says the rules aim to reduce distractions, improve concentration and encourage in-person interaction.
Some parents have raised safety concerns, saying phones help them contact children amid violence.
- Who
- Students in Mexico’s basic education schools.
- What
- They must keep personal phones and other electronic devices unused during the school day, including breaks, with listed exceptions.
- When
- From Nov. 3, 2026.
- Where
- Public and private schools across Mexico, from initial education through secondary school.
- Why
- The Education Ministry says the rules aim to reduce distractions, improve concentration and encourage in-person interaction.
Parents concerned about the ban
Mexican education authorities
Safety and communication
Parents concerned about the ban
Some parents fear they will be unable to contact their children during violence and emergencies.
Mexican education authorities
The rules allow phone use for personal emergencies and specific health, accessibility and educational needs.
Purpose of restrictions
Parents concerned about the ban
Parents’ concerns include the loss of a means to communicate with children during the school day.
Mexican education authorities
The Education Ministry says the restrictions are intended to reduce distractions and support concentration and in-person interaction.
The rules were published in the Official Gazette of the Federation as Agreement 09/09/26.
More than 565,000 teachers took part in a national consultation, and 81% supported establishing rules on digital devices in schools, according to the Education Ministry.
A bus carrying high school students in Escuinapa, Sinaloa, was shot at; the driver was injured.
The restrictions on personal electronic devices take effect in basic education schools.
- Start date
- Nov. 3, 2026
- Legal basis
- Agreement 09/09/26, published Sept. 22, 2026
- Coverage
- Initial education, preschool, primary and secondary schools
- Teacher consultation
- More than 565,000 teachers participated; 81% supported rules
- Exceptions
- Educational activities, emergencies, health, disability, accessibility, inclusion and exceptional circumstances
- Enforcement
- No automatic national student sanction; individual school communities set implementation agreements
4 sources
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What people are saying
prevent addiction to digital platforms and the disorders they cause in minors
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