Chile has taken a decisive step in the global debate over technology in schools, approving a nationwide ban on smartphone use for elementary and middle school students during class time.

The move, aimed at restoring focus and strengthening face-to-face interaction, comes amid mounting concern over digital distraction and its effects on learning, mental health, and social behaviour.

The legislation — which now awaits President Gabriel Boric’s signature — is set to take effect at the start of the 2026 academic year. Once implemented, students will no longer be permitted to use mobile phones or internet-enabled devices during lessons, except in medical emergencies or where explicitly required for educational purposes.

The bill passed Chile’s lower house with overwhelming support after an earlier approval in principle from the Senate, signalling rare political consensus around the urgency of the issue.

Rising concern over attention, screen time, and childhood behaviour

The ban follows years of frustration voiced by teachers and parents who say unchecked device use has reshaped classrooms — and not for the better. They argue that constant notifications, messaging, and social media access fracture attention spans, erode social interaction, and worsen learning outcomes.

Momentum for the law accelerated after a Santiago school tested a phone-free programme requiring students to lock their devices in signal-blocking pouches throughout the school day. Administrators reported striking behavioural shifts: students rediscovered conversations, outdoor play, reading, and sports, spending significantly less time scrolling through social media feeds.

International assessments echo these findings — more than half of Chilean students surveyed say smartphones interrupt their learning, a pattern mirrored across global education studies.

A growing global movement

Chile joins a fast-expanding list of countries tightening rules on digital devices in schools. A major international education monitor reported this year that 79 systems worldwide now impose restrictions of some form.

European nations — including France and the Netherlands — have already adopted strict bans, with policymakers arguing that classrooms must remain spaces designed for attention, safety, and meaningful interaction.

Supporters of Chile’s decision say similar benefits could follow: fewer distractions, improved learning focus, reduced cyberbullying, and more mindful tech habits. Critics, however, warn that blanket bans may limit opportunities to teach responsible digital citizenship and restrict legitimate educational uses of technology.

‘A cultural change’

Education Minister Nicolás Cataldo called the measure part of a necessary paradigm shift.

"With the regulation of cell phone use in classrooms, we are advancing a cultural change for children and adolescents who today need, more than ever, to see each other face to face, socialise during recess and regain concentration to further boost learning," he said.

Parent groups and school officials have largely welcomed the move, calling it long overdue.

Next steps

Once signed, the law will give schools roughly one year to develop procedures, enforcement policies, and communication plans for families ahead of the 2026 rollout.

By the end of 2024, an estimated 40% of the world’s education systems had already adopted a smartphone limit — a figure expected to rise as concerns grow over digital dependency, declining attention spans, and student well-being.

With this legislation, Chile positions itself firmly among nations pushing for a reset — a shift away from constant digital connectivity and toward learning environments where young people look up, speak to one another, and reconnect with the world beyond their screens.