Cell phones prohibited in Ecuador classrooms; Court says jail for speeders is unconstitutional; Neighbors detain and beat robbers; Poverty rate increases

The Ministry of Education announced Thursday it is prohibiting most cell phone use in Ecuador schools, both public and private. The ban applies to 9,253 grade one to 12 schools.

The ban goes into effect May 5 in schools in the coastal region and in the Galapagos Islands, and in September in the inter-mountain and Amazon regions.

The National Assembly will revise penalties for speeding based on a recent court ruling that jail sentences for violators are unconstitutional.

Education Minister Alegría Crespo said there will be some exceptions to the new rule in special health cases and when phones are needed for academic projects in the upper grades. In addition, teachers will have the option to allow limited cell phone use during recess periods.

According to Crespo, local and international surveys “prove beyond doubt” that cell phones and access to social media have negative impacts on academic learning, social skills and mental health. “The prohibition is based on proof that access to social media and the internet generally lead to declines in cognitive skills and the ability to concentrate on studies,” Crespo said. “We have seen a decline in Ecuador and worldwide of test scores and the correlation to cell phone access is undeniable.”

Crespo adds: “We are joining the movement worldwide to reduce digital distraction in the effort to reverse academic decline. Beyond this, there is the prevalence of sexual predators and scammers on social media and, in some cases, criminal extortionists.”

According to a survey of students and parents conducted last year by the Education Ministry, there is broad agreement that cell phones are a “mayor impediment to learning.” Although more than 70% students agreed with the assessment, more than 50% were against an outright phone ban in schools.

More than 90% of parents supported the prohibition of most cell phone use in schools.

Neighbors detain and beat robbers
Three Venezuelan men were captured and beaten by neighbors Saturday night near the intersection of Av. 10 de Agosto and Roberto Crespo following the robbery of a tienda. The crowd burned two motorcycles used by the alleged thieves.

According to reports, police arrived within 15 minutes to rescue the men, described as Alejandro B., Daniel C. and Devirson S. Police recovered $800 taken in the robbery and confiscated a handgun and three cell phones in possession of the men.

Following the arrests, a representative of the neighborhood association identified as “Hombre vigilante” posted a warning on Facebook that those who commit crimes in the area will be captured and beaten. “Justice will be carried out by our own hand and will be swift and painful.”

Court says traffic jail for speeders is unconstitutional
The leadership of the National Assembly says it will defer to the next Assembly the revision of motor vehicle traffic laws related to speeding. On January 21, the Constitutional Court ruled that jailing those who exceed the speed limit by excessive amounts is unconstitutional.

Under current law, those who break the speed limit “beyond the moderate range” receive a three-day sentence in traffic jail under the country’s Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code.

The court ruled the penalty was “disproportionate” and did not rise to the level justifying imprisonment. “Based on the rights of residents, the excessive nature of the penalty is unconstitutional,” the court said. “We recommend less restrictive sanctions, such as fines, reduction of driver license points, or community service as a more appropriate penalty.”

Poverty rate increases
Ecuador’s poverty rate reached 28% at the end of 2024, an increase of two points compared to 2023. Extreme poverty also increased in the same period, rising to 12.7% from 9.8%. The rates are the highest since 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the National Institute of Statistics and Census, the poverty level is reached when an individual receives less than $91.43 income per month. The extreme poverty level is $51.53 per month.

INEC said the main factor for rising poverty in 2024 was the energy crisis and electric blackouts.