Sheinbaum Announces Teacher Consultation on School Cell Phone Regulations
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that more than one million basic education teachers across the country will participate in a nationwide consultation on August 24 and 25, to...
- The initiative forms part of a broader series of regional forums aimed at creating a federal proposal to regulate digital platforms and social media for children and adolescents.
- Public Education Secretary Mario Delgado Carrillo detailed that the dialogue encompasses the entire basic education teaching workforce nationwide.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that more than one million basic education teachers across the country will participate in a nationwide consultation on August 24 and 25, to evaluate potential restrictions on mobile phones in schools. According to reporting from Uniradio Baja, the consultation will take place during the intensive phase of the Escolar Technical Councils (CTE) across all 32 federal entities, involving numerous schools.
National Consultation and Regional Forums on Digital Platforms
The initiative forms part of a broader series of regional forums aimed at creating a federal proposal to regulate digital platforms and social media for children and adolescents. During her morning press conference, President Sheinbaum emphasized that the government wants to build consensus rather than impose unilateral rules. Ya 16 estados de la República lo tienen regulado y el objetivo es poderlo regular en todo el país, pero vamos a preguntarle primero a las maestras y a los maestros cuál es su opinión
, stated Sheinbaum.
Public Education Secretary Mario Delgado Carrillo detailed that the dialogue encompasses the entire basic education teaching workforce nationwide. Additionally, the first regional forum on digital platforms is scheduled for August 19, in Nuevo León, with live broadcasts managed by the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) from the Autonomous University of the state.
Global Research and Mental Health Concerns
The push for regulation stems from growing concerns regarding the impact of excessive screen time and social media algorithms on the mental health of minors. Ravi Iyer, general director of the Institute for Technology Psychology and the Neely Center at the University of Southern California, presented data from international studies during the government briefings to underscore the risks.
According to a Pew Research Center survey cited in the coverage, 45 percent of U.S. adolescents reported spending too much time on social media, 45 percent stated it negatively affects their sleep, and 40 percent indicated it harms their productivity. Furthermore, internal Meta survey data revealed that 13 percent of Instagram users aged 13 to 15 in the United States received unwanted sexual advances within a seven-day period.
The regulatory discussions also draw on findings from Australia. Data from the Australian Digital Safety Commission survey of 3 thousand children aged 10 to 17 showed that 47 percent encountered offensive or sexist commentary about girls and women, 47 percent viewed violent videos, and 46 percent observed footage of challenges.
Objectives of the Proposed Digital Regulation
Federal officials outlined that the national debate seeks to address the mechanics of digital algorithms, combat infinite scrolling, and prevent minors from encountering unsolicited content. President Sheinbaum stressed the importance of parental involvement alongside teacher feedback to establish a secure digital environment for youths. No es solamente un asunto de que el Gobierno diga ‘vamos a hacer esto’, sino lo que queremos es que madres y padres de familia conozcan estos temas, que sean sensibles a lo que está ocurriendo con las redes sociales
, added Sheinbaum, highlighting the need for families to understand international protective frameworks.