In a decisive move, Chile’s parliament has approved a law banning the use of mobile phones and other smart devices in all elementary and secondary schools. When the ban comes into force, Chile will join a growing list of countries restricting students’ access to smartphones at school in order to protect learning, focus, and well-being.
🇨🇱 Chile’s new law: how it works
On 2 December 2025, Chile’s Chamber of Deputies voted overwhelmingly in favor of legislation that prohibits the use of personal communication devices — including smartphones — in both public and private primary and secondary schools.
Once signed by the President (expected soon), the law will take effect at the beginning of the 2026 school year. Schools will then have until mid-2026 to update their internal rules and procedures in line with the new regulation.
Under the law, mobile-phone use will be generally banned throughout the school premises — from classrooms to hallways and common areas. Only in exceptional cases — such as medical needs, special education requirements, or emergencies — will students be allowed to use their devices.
Why lawmakers backed the ban: safeguarding focus, health and social life
According to Nicolás Cataldo, Chile’s Minister of Education, unrestricted smartphone use in schools “has become a scourge out of control,” contributing to distraction, poor concentration, and even harming the mental health of children and adolescents. He described the measure as part of a broader “cultural change” aimed at restoring face-to-face interaction, focus, and meaningful socializing in schools.
Supporters of the law — including Marcia Raphael, one of the bill’s parliamentary sponsors — argue that the ban is not anti-technology. Rather, it is an opportunity to rebuild concentration, improve academic performance, strengthen social ties among students, and support their emotional well-being.
A global movement: Chile among many school-phone bans
Chile’s decision reflects a growing international trend. Countries such as Brazil, Netherlands, France, Hungary and China have also implemented restrictions or bans on smartphone usage in schools.
In Chile, the decision follows a successful pilot programme at a school in the capital, where students were asked to lock their phones in signal-blocking pouches during school hours — a scheme that reportedly led to more active participation, social interaction, and a shift away from social-media dependence.