President Claudia Sheinbaum reported this Monday that discussions on the use of social networks in girls, boys and adolescents have already formally begun. In his morning conference from the National Palace, he announced that a proposal for guidance and regulation will be prepared to deliver to Congress.
“When we hand it over to Congress, let Congress itself make its forums open, its debate, its discussion, and that we can protect girls and boys from this that can become an addiction,” declared the president.
Mario Delgado, head of the SEP, clarified that the aim is not to demonize technology, but rather to understand its effects on the well-being, development and learning of young people. He stressed that this is a global debate where several countries already implement public policies to protect without giving up educational potential.
Risks detected
Delgado pointed out that anxiety, insecurity and depression have been identified related to the excessive use of devices. The goal, he said, is to generate healthier, less competitive and more supportive environments in schools.
Sheinbaum insisted that the discussion must include teachers, mothers, fathers and experts. “It is not about prohibiting for the sake of prohibiting, but about understanding the effects and there being minimal regulation of these platforms,” he stated.
Currently, 16 entities in the country already restrict the use of cell phones in basic education schools. The Undersecretary of Education, Ricardo Villanueva Lomelí, reported that 114 educational systems in the world have some type of regulation. He announced six national forums to gather opinions and a National Week of Traditional Games in September, with the aim of promoting school coexistence.
Scientific evidence
Dr. Cimenna Chao Rebolledo, from UNAM, warned that early use of mobile devices is associated with greater risks for physical and mental health, such as sleep disturbances and socio-emotional problems. In addition, it revealed that eight out of 10 students already use generative artificial intelligence tools. He called to promote digital literacy and protect minors on the platforms.
The government will seek to build a consensus with specialists and families, based on scientific evidence, to present a bill before the end of the year.
