Mexico is tightening the rules on personal devices in public schools. Beginning November 3, students will still be permitted to carry cellphones with them to campus, but the devices must stay out of sight and out of use throughout the school day—both during lessons and during recess. The only exception will be genuine emergencies, according to the new policy reported by Telemundo.
The measure responds to growing concern among educators and parents about how smartphones affect children’s attention spans, classroom behavior, and social interaction. Similar restrictions have already been adopted in several countries, including parts of the United States, as schools try to curb distractions linked to social media and constant notifications.
According to Telemundo’s report, many parents in Mexico have expressed support for the ban, arguing it could help students focus better and reduce conflicts tied to phone use, such as cyberbullying or recording incidents without consent. Teachers’ unions and school administrators are expected to oversee compliance once the rule takes effect this fall.
Want more details on how the policy will be enforced and what parents are saying? Check out the original report from Telemundo.
Source: Restringen el uso de celulares y otros dispositivos en escuelas de México (telemundo.com).
Image: Wesley Fryer, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).