Mexico is actively evaluating potential restrictions on minors access to popular social media platforms to safeguard youth mental health.
Mario Delgado, Secretary of Public Education, confirmed the initiative follows regulatory precedents established recently in Australia.
The administration aims to finalize consultation proposals by June to address growing international concerns regarding digital safety and child protection.
Authorities have opened a formal consultation period involving various social actors to shape potential regulatory frameworks for the coming months.
This process seeks input from parents, teachers, and community leaders rather than imposing mandates unilaterally from the executive branch.
The government wants to determine specific limits based on local experiences before drafting formal legislation for congressional review.
Australia became the first nation to ban access for users under 16 years of age in December 2023 through new legislation.
The law imposes fines of approximately 32 million dollars on companies failing to take reasonable measures for compliance with the new standards.
Officials note that school climate improved significantly and cyberbullying decreased following the implementation of these strict controls on platforms like TikTok.
Several other nations are currently studying similar restrictions to protect their adolescent populations from harmful online content.
France approved a ban for minors under 15 years in January, though the Senate must still ratify the measure before it becomes law.
Spain, Denmark, and Indonesia are also analyzing comparable policies to mitigate digital risks for children across their respective borders.
Delgado stated that the government bears primary responsibility for tutoring minors in educational settings during the digital age.
He criticized social media firms for prioritizing follower counts over the emotional health of young users on their networks.
According to the AFP, the Secretary noted that platforms lack effective filters for content affecting mental well-being despite public pressure.
Meta and TikTok currently require users to be at least 13 years old to create accounts on their respective services globally.
Both companies have introduced specific accounts for adolescents to limit content exposure and manage screen time effectively.
However, critics argue these measures are insufficient given the difficulties in enforcing age verification technology effectively across all regions.
The Mexican government intends to identify specific risks students face in unregulated digital spaces where content circulates freely.
Reports indicate that violent and pornographic content often appears without warning within these networks during peak usage hours.
Cyberbullying remains a significant issue that authorities aim to address through structured regulation and better monitoring tools.
Delgado emphasized that any limits must emerge from open debate rather than executive power imposed from above.
He personally supports the Australian model but clarified this is his individual opinion as a parent of an adolescent girl.
The SEP position remains focused on facilitating open dialogue among stakeholders to define appropriate boundaries for digital interaction.
A recent forum organized by the SEP and UNESCO highlighted the Australian experience as a viable reference for other countries.
Experts argued that promoting a responsible digital culture requires more than simple prohibition to be effective long term.
The initiative seeks to foster critical and conscious usage among students without banning mobile devices in public schools entirely.
Future developments will depend on the outcomes of the ongoing consultation period scheduled for conclusion in June.
Observers will watch closely to see if Mexico adopts a model similar to Australia or creates a distinct regulatory approach for the region.
The decision could set a precedent for other Latin American nations facing similar digital challenges and parental concerns.
