Chilean Commune Bans Cell Phones in Schools to Improve Student Focus

El Carmen, Chile: Cell Phones Banned in Schools to Boost Student Focus The small commune of El Carmen in Chile's Ñuble region has taken a significant step to address declining student attention spans. Mayor Renán Cabezas announced a new regulation restricting cell phone use in classrooms, starting with a four-month awareness campaign before full implementation in August 2025. "This regulation is about ordering the use of this technological tool," explained Cabezas in an interview with La Metro FM. "We want to prioritize attention to the content being taught in the classroom." The decision follows concerns raised by teachers and parents. The mayor highlighted the unique challenges of a rural community, where many schools are located far from urban centers. The phased approach allows for communication and education before the complete ban takes effect. The initiative demonstrates a proactive approach to ensuring effective learning environments in El Carmen's schools.