Bogota Wants to Restrict Cellphone Use During the School Day

Bogota is considering a significant change to its school policies, proposing to restrict the use of cellphones throughout the entire school day, including during classes and recess time. The proposal, identified as RL-2026-177, is currently in the public consultation phase, set to remain open until September 4, 2026. The Education Secretariat aims to distinguish between technology that aids learning and technology that distracts from it, aligning with a broader educational policy known as 'Re)connecting to learn'.

This initiative comes amidst an international trend, with UNESCO reporting that 114 education systems, or 58% of countries worldwide, have introduced restrictions on mobile phone use in schools by March 2026. However, UNESCO advises that merely banning phones does not resolve the larger educational challenges, emphasizing the need for schools to teach students how to use digital technology responsibly.

Bogota's strategy differs slightly from this approach. While the city is investing in technological tools for students and teacher training, the draft policy specifically aims to limit personal cellphone use during school hours. This would apply to all schools, from early childhood and primary to secondary education, across the city.

The policy suggests that technology should only be used in class when it directly supports learning, while otherwise, phones should be kept out of reach to promote focused learning, social interaction, and classroom participation.