Regulating cellphones in Mexican schools must not violate children's rights, experts say

The debate surrounding cellphone bans in Mexican schools should not compromise the "right to autonomy of children," nor should it force "technological exclusion" without first holding the companies that design these platforms accountable, experts argue. The discussion, which gained traction after a proposal by Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum in June, involves lawyers, psychologists, and educators.

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right to autonomy of the niñez

Ricardo Ortega Soriano, a lawyer specializing in children's rights, cautioned that prohibitions are rarely a "panacea" and often oversimplify complex structural problems. He pointed to major tech firms like Meta, which faces a significant lawsuit over the alleged addictive nature of its platforms, as entities that should bear responsibility.

According to UNESCO, over 114 countries have implemented limits on device use in schools for pedagogical and social reasons. Ortega Soriano stressed that such regulations, when accompanied by comprehensive educational policies, must be "proportional." They should not violate the "integrity" of minors or create "contexts of non-communication."

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technological exclusion

Sandra Irma Montes de Oca, director of the Psychology Department, emphasized the need for clear rules regarding when, where, and to which students a ban would apply. She highlighted that some students, particularly those with autism, rely on technology for communication and development. Additionally, Montes de Oca noted the importance of considering "emergency and security" measures, as cellphones are a primary means for children and adolescents to contact their families. "How will parents communicate with children? The school should have institutional means to establish that communication," she stated.

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panacea

Montes de Oca insisted that rules must be "clear, consistent, and known by the entire community" to prevent "prolonged confiscations, disproportionate responses, or sanctions that end up excluding the student from learning." She also argued that simply removing cellphones from schools does not guarantee a recovery of student "attention" in the classroom.

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proportional