Mexico: National debate launched on AI and social media for minors

Herz — Tech & Science Desk · 21 July 2026 at 04:25 · 30s summary · 2 min read

What we know

The Mexican government launched a national debate on July 21, 2026, on the use of artificial intelligence, social media, and digital devices by minors. The announcement was made during President Claudia Sheinbaum's morning press conference.

The goal is to develop an evidence-based legislative proposal. President Sheinbaum clarified that the aim is "not to impose unilateral restrictions, but to build social consensus" on responsible technology use.

Education Minister Mario Delgado called the issue "unavoidable." He noted that over 90% of Mexican adolescents use the internet.

not to impose unilateral restrictions, but to build social consensus

— Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico

Risks identified by experts

Specialists and representatives from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) were present at the press conference. They highlighted several risks linked to the overuse of digital devices: harm to mental health, risk of addiction, and negative effects on children's cognitive development.

Context: A global trend

Globally, 1 in 3 internet users is a minor. Already, 58% of education systems have rules in place to regulate mobile phones in schools.

In Mexico, 16 of the 32 states have already restricted the use of digital devices in basic education. The national debate aims to harmonize these approaches at the federal level.