SANTIAGO, Chile — Chilean legislators have overwhelmingly approved groundbreaking legislation prohibiting mobile phones and smart devices in elementary and middle school classrooms nationwide. The comprehensive ban, scheduled for implementation at the beginning of the 2026 academic year, positions Chile among a growing number of countries addressing digital distractions in educational settings.
The newly passed bill received decisive congressional support following extensive debate, with exceptions carved out for emergency situations and specific educational purposes outlined within the legislation. The measure now awaits final endorsement from President Gabriel Boric before becoming official policy.
Education Minister Nicolás Cataldo characterized the initiative as a transformative cultural shift for Chile’s youth, emphasizing the need for children to “redisface human interaction during recreational periods and restore classroom concentration to enhance academic achievement.” The minister’s statements circulated across social media platforms shortly after the legislative decision.
This legislative action culminates years of advocacy from concerned parents and educators who have documented smartphones’ detrimental effects on both academic performance and emotional development. Supporting evidence emerges from a recent Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development study indicating over 50% of Chilean students experience learning disruptions due to digital devices.
Chile joins an international movement of nations implementing educational device restrictions, including France, Brazil, Hungary, the Netherlands, and China. The Santiago metropolitan area previously conducted a successful pilot program utilizing signal-blocking technology, providing empirical support for the nationwide implementation.
The Chilean Senate had initially endorsed the concept earlier this year but introduced modifications that required reconsideration by the lower congressional chamber. Tuesday’s decisive vote establishes a clear regulatory framework for educational technology use while acknowledging legitimate needs for controlled digital access.