Politics · Mexico · 5 hrs ago
Mexico to restrict students’ personal devices in schools from November 3
Mexico’s education ministry will restrict personal devices throughout the school day in basic education, starting November 3.
The rule applies across preschool, primary and secondary schools, even though phones are much more common among secondary students.
Many students rely on phones as their only digital tool: 56.3% of phone users aged 6 to 17 have no other technology, and 13.1 million children and teenagers lack another device for schoolwork.
A study by México Evalúa and Tecnológico de Monterrey warns that the restriction could widen the digital divide, especially for students from low-income families.
It also says the policy has no digital literacy plan or clear indicators to show whether restricting devices improves learning.
The study calls for age-based rules, while the ministry’s policy sets the same restriction across basic education; the rule takes effect November 3.
Mexico’s Education Secretariat will restrict personal devices throughout the school day in basic education from November 3.
A study by México Evalúa and the Tecnológico de Monterrey’s Initiative for Education with Equity and Quality warns the measure could deepen the digital divide.
The study says 13.1 million children and adolescents lack another digital device for schoolwork, while mobile phones are the only technology tool for 56.3% of phone users aged six to 17.
It also says the regulation lacks digital literacy policies, clear compliance checks and indicators to assess whether learning improves.
The restriction applies across basic education, although phone use at school varies from 84.1% of secondary students to 4.6% of preschool students.
- Who
- Mexico’s Education Secretariat (SEP) is introducing the restriction; México Evalúa and the Tecnológico de Monterrey’s Initiative for Education with Equity and Quality assessed it.
- What
- Personal devices will be restricted throughout the school day in basic education.
- When
- The regulation takes effect on November 3, 2026.
- Where
- Schools in Mexico.
- Why
- Not stated. The study warns the measure may deepen the digital divide and says it lacks indicators to assess learning outcomes.
Mexico’s Education Secretariat (SEP)
México Evalúa and the Tecnológico de Monterrey’s Initiative for Education with Equity and Quality
Policy
Mexico’s Education Secretariat (SEP)
SEP is restricting personal devices throughout the school day in basic education.
México Evalúa and the Tecnológico de Monterrey’s Initiative for Education with Equity and Quality
The study warns the restriction could deepen the digital divide, particularly for students with fewer resources.
Implementation
Mexico’s Education Secretariat (SEP)
The regulation applies the same restriction across basic education.
México Evalúa and the Tecnológico de Monterrey’s Initiative for Education with Equity and Quality
The study says the policy lacks digital literacy measures, clear compliance checks and learning-outcome indicators; it also reports that 94.7% of surveyed education staff supported age- and level-specific rules.
A national consultation collected views from 565,396 education staff.
El Universal reported on the regulation and the study’s concerns.
The device restriction is due to take effect.
- Effective date
- November 3, 2026
- Schools with computers and internet for teaching
- 35% of public basic-education schools
- Children and adolescents without another digital device for schoolwork
- 13.1 million
- Mobile phone as only technology tool
- 56.3% of phone users aged six to 17
- Phone use at school
- 84.1% of secondary students; 24.8% of primary students; 4.6% of preschool students
- National consultation
- 565,396 education staff participated in August 2026