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Guanajuato Congress Approves Law to Regulate Cell Phone Use in Schools
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

Guanajuato Congress Approves Law to Regulate Cell Phone Use in Schools

From El Universal · (42m ago) Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Guanajuato's Congress approved a reform to the State Education Law to regulate the use of cell phones and other technological devices in schools.
  • The new law permits technology use exclusively for pedagogical purposes during class hours, with a focus on safety, responsibility, and the protection of children's rights.
  • Legislators emphasized the need for clear rules to address classroom distractions, learning interference, and mental health concerns linked to excessive screen time.

The Guanajuato Congress has taken a decisive step to address the growing challenge of technology use in our schools by approving a reform to the State Education Law. This legislation is not about banning technology, but about establishing a balanced model that harnesses its educational potential while setting clear boundaries. Legislators recognized that while technology itself isn't the problem, its unregulated use in classrooms has undeniable consequences on student learning, concentration, and mental well-being.

technology is not a problem, but its use without rules within the classroom is generating consequences that cannot be ignored.

— Carolina León MedinaExplaining the rationale behind the reform to regulate technology use in schools.

This reform, a product of extensive public consultation and expert input, prioritizes the protection of our children and the authority of our educators. It acknowledges the link between excessive screen time and issues like attention deficits and anxiety, framing technology as a valuable didactic tool that requires clear guidelines. The goal is to create an environment where technology serves as a support for teaching and learning, not a distraction.

with the reform to the Education Law, we protect the girls and boys of Guanajuato and, at the same time, strengthen the work and authority of teachers.

— Víctor Manuel Zanella HuertaHighlighting the dual benefit of the new legislation for students and educators.

We understand that this is a dynamic issue, and the regulations will be adapted to different educational levels, from early childhood to adolescence, even considering the impact of artificial intelligence. The Ministry of Education will issue specific provisions to ensure technology use aligns with pedagogical objectives and does not disrupt the educational process. This is a crucial step in safeguarding the mental health and academic success of Guanajuato's youth, ensuring they develop a healthy relationship with technology.

the excessive use of screens is linked to problems of attention and anxiety, in addition to acting under a vision of responsibility is to observe technology as a valuable didactic material, but always subject to clear rules that guarantee the emotional well-being of students.

— María Isabel Ortiz MantillaEmphasizing the connection between screen time and mental health issues, and the need for clear regulations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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