The ban on cell phones in schools is gaining ground in Latin America and other countries around the world. This measure aims to reduce distractions and strengthen school coexistence.
Every day, the first thing many people do when they wake up is checking their cell phone, even using it as an alarm clock. Technology has been part of our evolution in recent decades, and mobile devices have helped make some tasks easier and even allow us to have “almost everything” at our fingertips.
But just as there are positive aspects, if one uses the cell phone too much, it can end up distracting from what really matters —such as studies or interpersonal relationships. For this reason, the implementation of ‘no cell phones in school’ policies is increasing in many Latin American countries.
“No Cell Phone in School” Regulations in Latin America
In Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile, there are regulations restricting the use of cell phones in schools.
Peru passed a law (Law No. 32,385) that was published in 2025, which regulates the use of cell phones and electronic devices in all basic education institutions and programs, both in public and private schools, to improve concentration, academic performance, and coexistence among students.
Under the same premise, Bolivia was one of the first countries in the region to implement this measure in 2017. Ministerial Resolution 001/2017, which prohibits the use of cell phones, applies not only to schoolchildren but also to teachers.
In Colombia, a report from the Education Economics Laboratory (LEE) revealed an alarming situation: more than 65% of 15-year-old students use these devices during class for non-academic activities.
Although there is no official “no cell phone in school” law in place, many educational institutions have decided internally to regulate the use of cell phones to avoid distractions and improve student learning.
On the same line, several provinces in Argentina have implemented screen restrictions during the school day, unless the teacher specifically requests it for educational purposes.
At national level, although there is no uniform law on the matter, different districts such as Neuquén have also moved forward with similar regulations, establishing penalties. Meanwhile, in Buenos Aires Province, a law was passed in 2025 —which will come into force in 2026— to ban the use of cell phones in schools.
In order to reduce distractions and encourage a more responsible use of technology among children, in Chile, the debate reached Congress. In 2024, the Chamber of Deputies approved a bill to amend the General Education Law in order to ban the use of cell phones from preschool (early childhood education) through sixth grade, as well as to establish specific rules for secondary education.
Although this law has not yet been enacted, its progress reflects the growing concern about how phones affect the concentration of minors.
Brazil also joined the initiative after Lula Da Silva’s government authorized the ban on cell phone use in public and private schools, both during classes and at break times. A similar law was passed in São Paulo in November 2024, covering early education, primary, and secondary levels.
The region is showing interest in advancing with the creation of cell phone-free spaces, specifically by implementing no cell phone in school policies. For example, according to various studies focused on Peru, schoolchildren spend 35 hours a week on their mobile devices. This amounts to approximately 5 hours a day —when the WHO recommends a maximum of 2 hours.
According to the latest UNESCO report on Education Monitoring in the World, published in January 2025, a total of 79 countries have banned the use of cell phones in schools.
Countries that have implemented such restrictions include Belgium, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France, as well as some regions or states within countries like Argentina, Italy, the United States (Florida, California, Louisiana, and Ohio), and Germany.
What Are the Benefits of No Cell Phone in School Policies?
The main argument for limiting student’s access to mobile phones is that excessive cell phone use during class directly interferes with learning. Messages, social media and video games create constant distractions, as well as open the door to issues such as cyberbullying.
Promoting mobile-free spaces at school brings concrete benefits, such as:
- Better concentration and memory in class
- Greater face-to-face social interaction among students
- Prevention of cyberbullying
- Reduced of anxiety
- Development of communication and leadership skills without the mediation of a screen
Cell Phone Use in Universities and Public Spaces
In higher education, the approach is different. University students need their devices to access class materials, textbooks, or academic platforms. However, there is no law prohibiting or limiting their use. On the contrary, we find cases such as Peru, where the management of mobile phone use is left to the discretion of professors.
In public spaces such as libraries, cinemas, theaters, or museums, this trend of promoting mobile-free zones is also growing. The idea is to reclaim concentration, silence, and the cultural experience without digital interruptions. The French government, for example, was the first in Europe to authorize a system that directly disables cell phones in cinemas, theaters, and concert halls.
Although there is no specific law for cafés and restaurants in Latin America, there are several cafés in Peru, Brazil, and Colombia that encourage people to enjoy moments with friends or books away from mobile devices, with phrases such as ‘There is no Wi-Fi here, talk to each other’. In some cases, they even offer discounts for leaving devices aside.
In Amsterdam, there is a movement called “The Offline Club” that promotes not using cell phones in places like cafés. To this end, they provide security boxes where customers can leave their devices while they are on the premises.
This initiative has spread to London, Barcelona, The Hague, and Rotterdam, as well as parts of America and Asia, according to its creators Ilya Kneppelhout, Jordy van Bennekom, and Valentijn Klo.
These measures demonstrate how the world, and Latin America, are moving forward in establishing cell phone-free zones, following the global “no cell phones in school” trend. This has been reinforced in recent years by laws and regulations designed to strengthen the concentration and social skills of school-age children.