In December 2025, Chile’s Parliament approved a groundbreaking law that bans the use of mobile phones and other smart devices in elementary and middle school classrooms, a policy set to take effect across the country at the start of the 2026 school year.
The legislation, passed with broad support and now awaiting formal promulgation by President Gabriel Boric, prohibits students from using mobile phones and connected devices during curricular activities in preschools, primary and secondary schools. Schools will have until mid-2026 to update internal policies and regulations to comply with the new rules.
Driving a “Cultural Change” in Education
Chilean Education Minister Nicolás Cataldo described the ban as part of a broader “cultural change” aimed at improving student concentration, social interaction, academic performance, and emotional wellbeing.
Cataldo emphasised that the measure is designed to help students “see each other’s faces again, socialize during recess, and regain concentration to further boost learning.”
The law allows limited exceptions — for instance, in emergencies, for health reasons, or where devices are needed for specific educational purposes — but overall it establishes a broad prohibition of smartphone use during class time.
Classroom Distraction and Digital Wellbeing
Chile joins a growing list of countries implementing similar restrictions, including France, Brazil, Hungary, the Netherlands and China, where schools have tightened rules around smartphone use to protect the classroom environment and student wellbeing.
National and international research highlights classroom distraction as a serious concern. According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a significant proportion of Chilean students report that mobile devices interfere with their learning — a pattern seen across many education systems globally.
Studies in educational psychology also suggest that reducing digital distractions in the classroom can improve attention, working memory, and academic outcomes, supporting the rationale behind policies like Chile’s.
How Schools Are Preparing for 2026
Under the new law, schools must revise their internal guidelines to implement the ban effectively. This includes defining how and where devices are stored during school hours which could be Bolsas con cierre para el teléfono, establishing clear expectations, and communicating the rules to parents and students. Cataldo noted the important role of school leadership in shaping how the policy is applied locally.
While the regulation targets curriculum time specifically, many schools are already piloting approaches that restrict phone use more broadly, including signal-blocking initiatives and structured phone-free periods to encourage student engagement and social interaction.
A Broader Trend in Digital Wellbeing Policy
Chile’s move reflects a wider international trend in which educators and policymakers are rethinking how digital technology fits into education. With concerns ranging from distraction and declining concentration to mental health impacts, countries are exploring ways to balance the benefits of technology with the need for environments that support deep learning and human connection.
By the time the 2026 school year begins, Chile will join an increasing number of nations taking legislative action to shape classroom experiences in ways that prioritise focus, participation, and student wellbeing.
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