Mexico publishes national school digital-device rules — 23 September 2026

Mexico has moved from proposal to confirmed national rule on personal digital-device use in schools. On 22 September 2026, the Secretaría de Educación Pública published Acuerdo 09/09/26 in the Diario Oficial de la Federación.

What is confirmed

For initial, preschool, primary and secondary education, personal phones, smart devices and other personal electronic devices are restricted throughout the school day. They may still be used for a previously planned educational purpose under teacher guidance, and for personal emergencies, health, disability, accessibility, inclusion or other exceptional community needs.

For upper-secondary education, schools must limit non-pedagogical use and agree locally how devices are handled. Options include storage, permitted times or areas, full-day non-use, or programmed learning use. Higher education is expected to promote responsible and safe use while respecting institutional autonomy.

When does it start?

The official agreement enters into force on 3 November 2026. The period after publication is being used for information, implementation and school-community agreements.

Status matters

This is a CONFIRMED NATIONAL RULE / OFFICIAL SEP AGREEMENT. It is not a proposal, consultation paper or research report. It was published in Mexico’s official federal gazette.

Why this matters for inclusion and UDL

The rule does not treat every use of technology as the same. It keeps space for planned learning use and explicitly protects exceptions linked to disability, accessibility and inclusion. That distinction matters when schools regulate devices that can also function as access tools.

Primary sources

Secretaría de Educación Pública: https://educacionbasica.sep.gob.mx/publica-sep-acuerdo-para-garantizar-el-uso-responsable-seguro-y-educativo-de-dispositivos-digitales-en-las-escuelas/

Diario Oficial de la Federación, Acuerdo 09/09/26: https://sidof.segob.gob.mx/notas/5799247