President Claudia Sheinbaum has ordered a national consultation process to inform legislation regulating the use of smartphones, social media, and artificial intelligence in schools, citing scientific evidence of harm to children’s cognitive development and mental health. The initiative, announced during a press conference at the National Palace, will involve regional forums with experts, parents, and teachers, with a bill expected to be presented to Congress in the next legislative session.

According to the Mexican government, the objective is not to prohibit technology but to build a societal consensus around evidence-based rules. Education Secretary Mario Delgado stated that the proposal seeks to understand how devices are integrated into young people’s lives and their consequences for well-being and learning. UNESCO’s representative in Mexico, Andrés Morales Arciniegas, noted that 114 education systems worldwide—58% of countries—have already adopted some form of regulation, up from 24% in 2023. Experts from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) presented data showing that adolescents spend an average of 7.32 hours online daily, with one in 11 using AI tools for emotional support, and 23% reporting cyberbullying.

The forums, three of which have already been held, will continue in Nuevo León, Chiapas, and Guerrero through September. The SEP also plans a national week of traditional games to promote offline activities. Subsecretary Ricardo Villanueva indicated that one proposal under consideration is banning cellphone use during recess and class time, while allowing exceptions for pedagogical purposes. The government emphasised that any regulation would also address platform design, such as infinite scrolling and algorithms that encourage excessive use.

Viewed from Mexico City, the move aligns with a global trend, as countries from France to China have imposed restrictions. Domestically, 16 of Mexico’s 32 states have already enacted their own limits on devices in basic education, regardless of the ruling party. The debate comes as over 90% of Mexican adolescents use the internet, and the government frames the issue as one of public health and digital rights. The consultation process is expected to conclude with a legislative proposal later this year, after which Congress will hold its own hearings.