Cell phones and tablets will be banned during school hours at Baja California Sur’s primary and secondary schools starting November 3, state education secretary Alicia Meza Osuna confirmed this week.
The policy — covering classes and recess — was agreed unanimously by Mexico’s 32 state education secretaries during the third extraordinary meeting of the National Council of Educational Authorities, led by federal education secretary Mario Delgado Carrillo.
For expat families with kids in local schools, the practical question is whether this changes daily routines. The ban applies to the entire school day, not just classroom time.
When Devices Can Still Be Used
Students will be allowed to use phones or tablets when there’s a justified need, Meza Osuna said. That includes students with disabilities or clinical conditions requiring device access.
The restriction does not apply to preparatoria (high school) or university students. Each preparatoria campus will set its own rules through agreements with teachers and families, while universities will create their own regulations.
Why Officials Say It’s Needed
The decision follows consultation meetings held during teacher council sessions across Mexico. According to state education officials, 81 percent of the country’s teachers supported restricting cell phones and digital platforms in basic education schools.
Multiple studies link excessive social media use on mobile devices to anxiety, depression and poor sleep among teens ages 14 to 18, Meza Osuna noted. In response, the state will soon launch a program called “El ABC de las Emociones” — one hour per week dedicated to social-emotional learning.
BCS has the highest cell phone usage rate in Mexico, which has raised concerns among educators about screen time and classroom distraction.
What Parents Should Know
The formal guidelines will be published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación and take effect November 3. After publication, schools will hold informational assemblies for parents, teachers and administrators to explain the new rules.
For families accustomed to staying in touch with kids during the day, the change may require adjusting pickup plans or emergency contact protocols. Schools are expected to provide clearer guidance on how parents can reach students when necessary.
The restriction joins other recent changes to Baja California Sur’s school system, including two new elementary schools under construction and tighter rules on junk food sales near campuses.
