According to the Associated Press, in order to regulate the use of electronic devices by minors, starting from November 3 local time, mobile phones will be prohibited in classrooms of elementary and middle schools across Mexico.
This policy, led by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, requires that national middle and elementary school students be prohibited from using mobile phones and other electronic devices during school hours. They are only allowed to use them for educational purposes under the guidance of teachers, or in cases of emergencies, disabilities, or health needs. Students are allowed to carry their mobile phones on their way to and from school.
Experts who support this policy believe that it can reduce the time teenagers spend using electronic devices, thereby alleviating issues such as distraction, stress, and anxiety caused by these activities.
However, this measure has encountered resistance in some parts of Mexico. Some parents are concerned about being unable to keep contact with their children when violent incidents occur. Data from the Mexican civil organization “Children’s Rights Network Alliance” shows that in the first half of this year, one in ten Mexican adolescents aged 0 to 17 became victims of organized crime-related incidents.
Francisco Ortiz, state representative of the National Parents' Federation of Sonora State, accused the government of ignoring parents' demands. The regulations introduced "violate parents' guardianship rights and infringe on parents' rights." "I believe parents will not accept allowing their children to possess communication devices without proper supervision."
Father Bernino Gómez from Rio Sa, Tamaulipas state in the north, said that he understands the intention of the education department to reduce students' use of smartphones. However, he found it "a bit difficult to accept" to let children carry smartphones to deal with potential dangers.
Mexican officials have not responded to these concerns, focusing only on the dangers posed by mobile phones.
Mexican Public Education Minister Mario delgado recently stated in a speech before the House of Representatives that the Sinbom government aims to 'prevent minors from becoming addicted to digital platforms, as well as avoiding various physical and mental problems caused by these platforms.'
UNESCO data shows that 114 countries have implemented mobile phone bans on campuses. Regulations in European countries are becoming more common; France expanded the ban to high schools in August this year. Latin American countries such as Ecuador, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, and Costa Rica have also introduced related regulations. In the United States, only some states have implemented such bans.
