Chilean students quit using mobile phones.

Instead of being engrossed in TikTok or Instagram, students are now spending their time playing sports, reading, and engaging in face-to-face conversations, sparking a nationwide debate about the impact of technology on education and mental health.

The program, launched last month by Mayor Lo Barnechea's office, aims to address mental health issues among teenagers. Initially, the initiative targets eighth-grade students (13-14 years old), but will gradually expand to the entire school and other facilities in the area next year.

Instead of confiscating phones entirely like many other places, the school equips its students with black boxes that jam signals and lock the devices during class time. Students can still keep their phones but cannot use them until school ends. This approach has been positively received by students and parents because it both limits misuse and avoids the anxiety of having to hand over their phones completely.

Fourteen-year-old José David shared: “I feel more free, I have more time to play sports and talk to my friends. Before, I used to only watch TikTok and Instagram.” Meanwhile, student Francisca Susarte said: “I feel more secure knowing I can still keep my phone but can’t use it during class.”

Many parents also expressed satisfaction at seeing their children experience less stress and become more integrated into society. The program not only aims to "detoxify from technology" but also affirms the role of schools as a holistic educational space, helping students develop life skills alongside textbook knowledge.

According to the OECD, Chile is one of the countries in Latin America where students spend the most time in front of screens. The 2023 PISA report showed that more than half of the country's students are easily distracted by digital devices, a rate higher than the international average.

The over-reliance on mobile phones is believed to contribute to declining academic performance. Mayor Felipe Alessandri pointed out that national exam results have revealed serious deficiencies in language, mathematics, and critical thinking. The Covid-19 pandemic and online learning have further exacerbated the situation.

Felipe emphasized: “Children are facing all sorts of problems: depression, anxiety, obesity. Taking away their phones might initially cause panic, but it’s a necessary step.”

A 2021 study by King's College London also showed that young people who self-identified as phone addicts were twice as likely to experience anxiety and three times as likely to experience depression compared to the rest of the group. Education expert Carolina Pérez stated: “These devices are designed to be addictive. Scientific evidence suggests that children should only use smartphones after the age of 16.”

The initiative at Lo Barnechea is not limited to a single school. Last month, the Chilean Senate's Education Committee passed a bill aimed at regulating the use of digital devices throughout the entire education system. If passed by the Senate, Chile could become one of the first South American countries to implement a comprehensive ban on mobile phones in schools.

If replicated, Lo Barnechea Bicentenario's initiative could become a model for many other schools in South America, given that the region faces a similar challenge: young people becoming addicted to screens and social media from their teenage years.

Humberto Garrido, headmaster of Lo Barnechea Bicentenario school, emphasized: “This policy not only improves concentration and academic achievement, but also encourages students to develop social, physical, and creative skills. It’s crucial to create a space for children to connect genuinely, rather than being drawn into the virtual world.”

According to AP News

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