Mexico restricts phone use throughout the school day
A national agreement will limit mobile phone use in Mexican primary and secondary schools from 3 November.
Mexico will introduce nationwide rules from 3 November governing the use of mobile phones and other personal electronic devices in primary and secondary schools. The restriction applies to public and private schools, but includes exceptions for education, health and accessibility, among other things.
The Mexican government officially published the new rules on Tuesday in the Diario Oficial de la Federación, the official gazette. Pupils in primary and secondary education may use their phones during the entire school day only for a pre-planned educational purpose and under a teacher’s supervision.
The regulation is not an absolute ban. Exceptions are possible in personal emergencies, for medical needs, disabilities, accessibility and inclusion. Schools may also depart from the rules when special circumstances arise within the school community. How such an exception is requested or monitored in practice will be determined locally.
For secondary vocational education and general secondary education, the approach is less uniform. Schools must restrict non-educational use during the school day, but may decide how to do so together with teachers, parents and pupils. Options include storing phones, keeping them under supervision, allowing their use only at certain times or introducing a complete ban.
Universities are largely outside the nationwide regulation. They retain their institutional autonomy and may make arrangements within their own communities for safe and responsible use. Mexico is therefore choosing a stricter nationwide baseline in primary and secondary education, while allowing more room for older students and institutions.
The rules will be explained to school communities over the coming weeks. According to the published arrangements, parents, teachers and other stakeholders will receive information at meetings. The states must then adapt their own legal and organisational instruments so that the nationwide agreement can be applied in both public and private schools.
The education authorities justify the measure by citing concerns about distraction, concentration, social interaction and school performance. These are the ministry’s arguments; the official announcement provides no new nationwide measurement that could establish what effect the rule will have in Mexico.
Until now, Mexico had no specific national regulation governing mobile phones in schools. According to news agency EFE, 19 of the 32 states already had their own rules or guidelines. The new agreement is intended to replace that varied approach with a common framework, while allowing schools and education levels to adapt implementation to their circumstances.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Mexico has published a national agreement restricting phone use in primary and secondary schools.
- The measure takes effect on 3 November 2026 and includes exceptions for education, health and accessibility, among other things.
- Secondary schools and universities have more room to set their own rules.
Left
Arguments A nationwide restriction can protect pupils from constant distraction and strengthen the school as a social and safe learning environment. Exceptions and accessibility rules must be applied broadly so that the measure does not disadvantage vulnerable pupils.
Values Equal educational opportunities, public health, inclusion and the protection of children.
Consequences Supporters expect greater calm and attention in the classroom, but fear additional sanctions for pupils and greater workloads for schools if exceptions are administered bureaucratically.
Centre
Arguments A clear national baseline is defensible, provided schools retain room to adapt rules to their pupils and circumstances. The measure should be evaluated for compliance, the learning environment and unintended effects.
Values Proportionality, practicability, institutional cooperation and assessment against evidence.
Consequences A common framework could reduce differences between schools, but the combination of national requirements and local exceptions could instead create new uncertainty.
Right
Arguments Schools must be able to maintain order and parents must be able to trust that lessons will not be dominated by phones. At the same time, a national regulation may place too much responsibility on the government and deprive schools and families of their own discretion.
Values Authority, responsibility, freedom of choice and an efficient government.
Consequences A consistent ban could make enforcement simpler, but overly rigid application could hamper communication in emergencies and fail to recognise local differences sufficiently.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The article’s core is confirmed by EFE and official Mexican government sources. The text clearly distinguishes between established rules and effects or implementation problems that remain unknown.
- confirmed On 22 September 2026, Mexico officially introduced a national restriction on phone use during the school day. — EFE reports the publication of the agreement in the Diario Oficial de la Federación. source
- confirmed The restriction applies from 3 November to pupils in primary and secondary education at public and private schools. — This scope and effective date are stated in EFE’s reporting. source
- confirmed Educational use and exceptions for health, accessibility and emergencies, among other things, are permitted. — EFE describes the conditions and exceptions in the national agreement. source
- confirmed For secondary schools, the precise rules will be determined together with the school community. — EFE and the Chihuahua education authority describe the more flexible approach for this level of education. source
- confirmed Universities retain autonomy over their internal rules. — EFE says that universities can continue to make their own arrangements. source
- confirmed Nineteen of Mexico’s 32 states already had rules or instruments governing phone use in schools. — This figure is reported by EFE. source
Editor's note
The nationwide regulation, its effective date, its scope covering primary and secondary schools and the stated exceptions are certain. Practical enforcement and effects on academic performance have not yet been established; nationwide compliance figures are unavailable.Sources
- México oficializa la restricción de celulares durante la jornada escolar en la educación básica — EFE
- Restringirán uso de celulares en primarias y secundarias tras acuerdo nacional — Gobierno del Estado de Chihuahua
- La regulación de dispositivos digitales en las escuelas será producto de un acuerdo nacional — Secretaría de Educación Pública
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