Castilla-La Mancha was the first autonomous community to veto it mobile use in educational centers and later Galicia and Madrid joined. For the rest, the autonomy of schools and institutes dominates, which usually allow it in the classroom if there is a didactic goal behind it, and in recreation they limit or veto it.

France, Finland, Netherlands and many schools in great Britain They already discourage the use of cell phones in the classroom because they understand that it harms academic performance and mental health due to problems caused by screen addiction.

Consultations are carried out by the body’s territorial delegation Eph reflects that in the majority of cases, the regulations refer to the internal regulations or rules of coexistence in the country’s approximately 34,000 educational centers, which are aware of the risks and take preventive measures to stop bad practices such as bullying.

The latest survey from the Ministry of Education, Information Society in the centers. 2020-2021 school yearwhich is biennial, reflects that the use of mobile phones for learning purposes exceeds 50% in Middle Schools and 57% in Middle Schools, with very uneven use by society.

Photo obtained by Eph through the Ministry of Education, agreed that most educational centers do not tend to expressly prohibit it, but choose to implement the policy. justified and responsible workpunish bad practices even with expulsion or change of center in very serious cases.

Also asked about EphThat Confederation of Spanish Student Parent Associations (Ceapa) argues that cellphone use in the classroom does not need to be restricted – except in elementary schools – as long as there is “good education” to use electronic devices correctly.

Here is the situation in various communities:

Cantabria

Regional regulations do not yet exist, but in the instructions for the start of the 23/24 course, the regional government for the first time stipulated the need for each center to regulate the use of mobile phones and other devices in its regulations, and advised not to take into account school hours (except for educational purposes) or breaks for improve relations between equals.

Murcia

This concerns the pedagogical autonomy of each center and there is a coexistence decision that classifies the recording or dissemination, without permission, by mobile phone or any other means of images or comments related to school life, as a serious offense. a very serious offense if the content is of a sexual nature. Very serious violations may result in expulsion.

Castilla la Mancha

Cell phones have been banned in classrooms since 2014, making it the first district to ban them. This is only permitted if the teacher deems it appropriate for educational purposes, such as technology subjects.

Canary Islands

This is regulated by the organization and operational regulations of each center. Until now, cell phones have been seen as a teaching resource, but depending on the center and its regulations, sometimes their use is also allowed during break times.

Aragon

There are no specific regulations but depend on internal regulations prepared by the management team and approved by the school board.

On the other hand, this community was a pioneer in launching an anti-harassment hotline that works 24 hours a day and is staffed by psychologists 365 days a year.

Galicia

This is regulated through the 2015 Regional Regulation which develops the law of coexistence in the educational community. One of the articles prohibits the use of cell phones and other devices as a communication mechanism during the school period.

He added that “remarkably, centers can set standards for their proper use as a pedagogical tool.” Based on these provisions, in Galicia every center regulates the use of devices for education.

Andalusia

Each center has its own rules and procedures to ensure safe access to the internet. The use of mobile phones can only have pedagogical purposes, as a tool in the teaching process.

This agreement also establishes measures for risk prevention and security on the Internet and information technology.

Rioja

This is regulated in central organizational and operational regulations. Generally cellphones are prohibited, but sometimes they are allowed as a teaching tool, for example the use of the Kahoot application (for taking tests).

Valencian Community

These centers regulate the use of mobile phones in their Organizational and Operational Standards. It is in the NOF of each center that specifically reflects how it will be carried out, adapting to its characteristics.

Catalonia

Centers have the autonomy to decide on the use of mobile phones in their areas.

In a communication published last September, the Ministry pointed out that the role of technology in the classroom “is a fundamental issue for the Catalan education system” and that schools “are not alien to the social context that surrounds them” therefore “it is logical that various technical advances such as computers, projectors, touchpads, tablets, as well as mobile phones have been accessed and used normally.”

Navarra

This is a problem that concerns centers, which generally do not allow their use except in exceptions, where a teacher can allow them to carry out certain activities.

Balearic

Each center has its own rules when it comes to device restrictions. The ministry did not provide guidance.

Estremadura

The centers determine cell phone use based on conditions and characteristics. The Council has a Guide to the Good Use of ICT (information and communications technology) in Education

Madrid

Cell phones are prohibited in class and at recess in the 2020-2021 school year and are only allowed for students who need them for health reasons or for reasons considered by the center, including educational purposes.

Castile and Leon

Didactic and classroom programming regulates the pedagogical use of these devices. In addition, thanks to the Castilla y León decision, the centers were able to avoid abuse of the Coexistence Plan and the Internal Regime Regulations.

Basque Country

Centers are given autonomy to regulate cell phone use in classrooms and recreation areas. There is no prohibition from the Department of Education. If a teacher at a particular time considers it to be helpful in his teaching work, then its use is permitted.

A year ago, EH Bildu asked the Basque Parliament to regulate the use of mobile phones and electronic devices in classrooms, but the PNV and PSE opposed it and voted for responsible “cyber existence”.

Asturias

There are no regional regulations that regulate this issue at the center, whose management team has autonomy over this. There are also those who consider it an educational instrument and do not regulate it. In others, as recently happened in the municipality of Grado, two institutions agreed at the same time to ban its use during school hours.