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Chile Bans Non-Emergency Smartphone Use by Children While at School
Chile's new law allows smartphone use only for emergencies, special education, or medical needs, aiming to improve student focus and mental health, officials said.
- On Dec 2, Chile's Parliament approved a law banning smartphone use on school premises, with the Chamber of Deputies passing final amendments and President Gabriel Boric expected to enact it soon.
- Parents and teachers had lobbied for years as Diego Schalper, lawmaker and bill author, said mobile use links to online addictions and harms education, while Marcia Raphael argued it boosts concentration and emotional health.
- Exemptions include special educational needs, emergencies, or medical monitoring; the law takes effect in March 2025 in all public and private primary and secondary schools after signal-blocking pilots.
- More than half of Chilean students reported devices disrupting learning; the bill aims to reduce distractions and mitigate harms for young students, requiring President Gabriel Boric's signature before the start of the 2026 school year.
- UNESCO data show 40 per cent of schools worldwide banned smartphones by 2024, and UK studies linked effective bans to pupil attainment metrics one to two grades higher.
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28 Articles
28 Articles
The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Another country bans phones in class: ‘Children need to see each other’s faces’
The education minister has hailed the move as a ‘cultural change’
·London, United Kingdom
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Chile Approves Law Banning Smartphone Use By Children At School
Chile's parliament on Tuesday approved a law banning the use of smartphones by pupils on school premises, the latest country to restrict such access over concerns for children's mental and physical health.
·New Delhi, India
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The Straits Times+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Chile bans non-emergency smartphone use by children while at school
Chile’s Parliament on Dec 2 approved a law banning the use of smartphones by pupils on school premises, the latest country to restrict such access over concerns for children’s mental and physical health.
·Singapore
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Total News Sources28
Leaning Left7Leaning Right6Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution41% Left
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources lean Left
41% Left
L 41%
C 24%
R 35%
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