Overview
- Chile’s lower house overwhelmingly backed an updated bill on Dec. 2 after the Senate had approved the ban in principle earlier this year.
- The measure outlaws student smartphone use during class hours in elementary and middle schools, with exceptions for emergencies, special educational needs and medical monitoring.
- According to the Associated Press, the law would take effect at the start of the 2026 school year once President Gabriel Boric signs it.
- Education officials and lawmakers say curbing phone use will help students regain focus, improve learning and support youth mental health.
- The move follows years of lobbying by parents and teachers, a Santiago pilot that blocked signals and a broader global shift, with UNESCO noting a rise in school phone restrictions worldwide.