Overview
- The Secretaría de Educación Pública published agreement 09/09/26 that restricts cellphone use during the full school day in primary and secondary schools and is set to take effect on November 3.
- SEP officials presented a first draft of a presidential decree to President Claudia Sheinbaum that would oblige digital platforms to detect, remove and notify authorities about violent or threatening content that risks minors.
- At a regional forum in Puebla, SEP Secretary Mario Delgado cited survey results showing 31% of minors have done viral challenges and 27% have been exposed to violent or sexual content to justify both the school ban and platform duties.
- States and provinces are moving in parallel: Guanajuato is finalizing implementing regulations for its state law and Buenos Aires advanced a law restricting secondary-school device use that awaits executive implementation.
- Authorities say the policies aim to protect student safety and mental health by limiting in-class screen time, reducing algorithmic amplification of harmful content, and creating enforcement rules that remain under development.