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Morelos Puts School Cellphone Restrictions Into Effect Across Basic Education

Health concerns drive the move to limit phones in class.

Overview

  • Regulations published in the state’s official gazette took effect on March 12 and cover nearly 4,000 public and private primary and secondary campuses.
  • Use of phones and electronic devices is barred during the school day except in emergencies, for teacher-authorized instruction, for students with disabilities or outstanding abilities, with institutional equipment, or in other justified cases.
  • Students are not penalized when a device is used to document bullying, abuse, or rights violations, according to the published guidelines.
  • A progressive discipline system applies for misuse: a verbal warning, then written notice to parents with a record, device retention until day’s end on a third incident, and possible temporary suspension for further violations.
  • Devices may be brought to school at the owner’s risk, with parents responsible for them, while schools must keep formal incident logs and report them each semester; the action aligns with a wider national debate as SEP chief Mario Delgado signals openness to regulating youth access to phones and social networks.