Schools in Querétaro have begun implementing the law promoted by the state governor, Mauricio Kuri González, which prohibits the use of mobile phones in educational institutions, becoming the first such measure in the country. The main objective of this regulation is to raise awareness about the psychological and social effects that constant use of mobile phones and the content found on social media can bring.
The governor stated: "It is a very concerning issue that can affect children's lives, cause unhappiness in young people, generate anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts due to the social pressure perceived online. We must pay close attention to this situation."
Regarding the implementation of the measure, Irene Quintanar, head of the Unit for Services in Basic Education in the State of Querétaro (USEBEQ), explained that prior awareness work has been conducted with teachers, students, and parents to prepare them for the new rule's enforcement. Workshops were organized, digital education was addressed, and healthy coexistence was promoted as part of these efforts.
Parents consider this initiative positive, as it seeks to distance young people from constant mobile phone dependency and encourage more open communication with their children to understand their activities in the digital world. This measure is presented as an example and a pilot test in Querétaro to be considered by other Mexican states in the future.
Some parents, like Raymundo García, express opinions about the regulation, suggesting that they would like it to become a national rule and even be expanded to other places. They propose the idea that students leave their mobile phones upon entering the classroom and retrieve them during free time, thus promoting a temporary disconnection during study hours.
