Santiago: Chile's legislature has approved a groundbreaking law that seeks to ban the use of smartphones in schools, a measure backed by a significant majority within the Chamber of Deputies. Parents and teachers have long advocated for this bill, arguing that smartphones obstruct students' learning and emotional development. The legislation now awaits final approval from President Gabriel Boric, who has shown support for the initiative, and is set to be enacted in March 2026.
According to Deutsche Welle, Education Minister Nicolas Cataldo has highlighted the pervasive nature of smartphone use in schools, describing it as a major issue affecting children and young people. Conservative lawmaker Diego Schalper, a key proponent of the bill, emphasized the association between mobile phone use and online addictions, which he believes disrupt educational processes in classrooms.
Chile joins other nations in attempting to regulate youth smartphone usage through school bans. As of 2024, approximately 40% of schools worldwide have implemented varying degrees of smartphone bans, up from 30% in the previous year, as reported by UNESCO. Countries like Brazil, Finland, South Korea, the Netherlands, Italy, and France have already adopted similar measures.
The proposed law aims to enhance "concentration, performance, community life, and emotional health" among students, as explained by lawmaker Marcia Raphael. Under the legislation, students in both elementary and secondary schools will be prohibited from using phones in classroom settings. Exceptions will be made for students with special educational needs, emergencies, or medical conditions requiring constant monitoring via smartphone. These exceptions will necessitate certification from a relevant authority.
The bill represents years of advocacy by parents and teachers concerned about the detrimental impact of smartphones on students' learning and emotional well-being. A recent study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development revealed that over half of Chilean students reported disruptions to their learning process due to digital devices.
Education Minister Cataldo expressed optimism about the cultural shift the law could bring, stating, "We are advancing a cultural change for children and adolescents who today, more than ever, need to see each others' faces again, socialize during recess, and regain concentration to further boost learning."