The governor of Querétaro, Mauricio Kuri González, acknowledged the possibility that some minors may experience withdrawal symptoms in schools due to the ban on cellphone use. In this regard, he called on parents and educational staff to be attentive to this phenomenon.
The measure, approved in the entity last Wednesday, has been well received by parents and schools, according to the state governor. Despite the possible withdrawal symptoms that students may exhibit, he defended the proposal with the aim that students can fully concentrate on their school activities.
In the governor's words: "Yes, they may have a symptom of withdrawal, especially at school, because right now, there is still not much else until the law is passed. But the schools will have to be very alert, and really parents have taken it very well, teachers have taken it very well, the idea is that they can be well concentrated in school and not have to be looking at cellphones."
Experts from the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) warn about the risks to the mental health of minors due to excessive and unsupervised use of social media, the internet, mobile phones, and video games. These issues may manifest primarily as symptoms of anxiety and depression, as mentioned by Pedro Hiram Saldívar Barreto, coordinator of Medical Programs of the Mental Health and Addictions Coordination of the IMSS.
Social media offers benefits such as access to diverse information and long-distance interactions, however, constant use can lead to mental health problems. Paradoxically, virtual interactions can lead to social isolation due to a lack of authenticity and being limited to the online realm. Vital goals are lost when most of the day is spent on social media, increasing vulnerability to harassment by sharing personal information and images.
