Mario Delgado, Mexico’s Public Education Secretary, told AFP that the government is considering implementing Australia-style social media restrictions for minors.
Several countries are tightening age rules on social platforms amid concerns about excessive screen time for children and their exposure to harmful online content.
Delgado said the government has launched consultations with civil society groups, including teachers and parent representatives, aiming to develop regulatory proposals by June.
Since December, Australia has required TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and other major platforms to remove accounts held by users under 16, or face substantial fines.
France approved a social media ban for under-15s in January, though the law still requires Senate ratification. Britain, Spain, Denmark, India, Indonesia, and Portugal are also studying similar measures.
“The state has the responsibility for the guardianship and education of minors. And that’s where we should consider setting certain limits,” Delgado told AFP.
He criticized platforms like Meta, Facebook, and TikTok, saying their primary interest is gaining followers, with insufficient content filters to protect children from violent, pornographic material, or cyberbullying.
TikTok said in a statement that it works to prevent children under 13 from using its platform. Meta and TikTok require users to be at least 13, with safety and privacy features for users aged 13–17, though enforcement remains a challenge.
Delgado emphasized that any ban should emerge from grassroots consultations with parents, teachers, and communities. “We want them to guide what limits are needed and how to implement them,” he said.
Tech companies will have a voice in the debate, which aims to promote a responsible, critical, and conscious digital culture rather than outright prohibition.
Australian officials report that their ban has already reduced cyberbullying and improved student concentration in schools. “I personally like the Australian model,” Delgado said, noting that as a father, he understands the challenges of regulating children’s social media use.
For now, Mexico is not considering banning mobile devices in public schools, unlike Brazil and Chile, which prohibited non-emergency smartphone use for children in schools last year.
Source: AFP/ BSS
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
