Over the past few years, school and state leaders have acted on concerns about how cell phone use is impacting students and teachers. Concerns like student data privacy, social media use, mental health impacts and distractions during instruction time have sparked questions about how state policy can help schools respond.
According to a 2022 Pew Research Center study, the vast majority of teens say they have access to a digital device, such as a smartphone (95%) or a desktop or laptop computer (90%), and 97% of teens say they are on the internet daily. Additionally, 46% responded that they are online “almost constantly.” According to the National Center on Education Statistics, almost 77% of schools have banned cellphone use in school as of 2022.
Based on a scan of state policy, state education agency resources and local education agency policies, we found that although cell phone use in schools has received national attention, this issue is most often dealt with at the local level. When addressed at the state level, the policy generally:
- Broadly defines what constitutes a misuse of a cell phone.
- Directs local agencies to adopt acceptable use policies.
- Prohibits the use of cell phones during state-administered testing.
Few states directly address the use of cell phones in classrooms. Our scan of existing and pending state policy revealed that states often address student cell phone use in local student conduct policy or by directing local education authorities to develop and implement a policy. Below are examples of enacted state policies on cell phone possession or use in schools.
Alabama: In February, the state board passed a resolution strongly encouraging local boards to adopt a policy limiting cell phone use while on school property.
California: Enacted in 2019, A.B. 272 authorizes the governing body of a school district, a county office of education or a charter school to adopt a policy limiting or prohibiting student use of smartphones while students are on school grounds. Students may use cell phones in case of an emergency with employee permission or when allowed through an individualized education plan.
Florida: Enacted in 2023, H.B. 379 prohibits students from using cell phones during instructional time and requires teachers to designate an area for cell phones during instructional time.
Indiana: Enacted earlier this year, S.B. 185 requires public schools, including charter schools, to adopt, implement and publish a wireless communication device policy that regulates student use of a wireless communication device, including cell phones, tablets, laptops and gaming devices.
Kentucky: Rev. Stat. Ann. § 158.165 requires the board of education of each school district to develop a policy regarding the possession and use of cell phones by students while on school property or while attending a school-sponsored event. The policy is to be included in the district’s standards of student conduct.
Ohio: H.B. 250 (enacted, 2024) requires school districts to adopt a cell phone policy that seeks to limit cell phone use during school hours.
South Carolina: Code Ann. Regs. 43-279 (IV)(A)(2)(j) establishes minimum standards for student conduct that school districts must address in their local student conduct policy. Among the activities and behaviors identified is the possession of cell phones in schools. Consequences for cell phone misuse, as defined by the district, can range from a verbal reprimand to consequences in coordination with local authorities depending on the specific school policy.
Virginia: In early July 2024, Gov. Glen Younkin issued an executive order (EO-33) directing the department of education to draft guidance for schools to adopt policies that would establish cell phone-free education. The guidance must include processes for parents to communicate with their children for reasons such as “forgotten items and changes in pick-up times, as well as protocols for students with medical needs to access their devices and for emergency communication.”
With the recent focus on cell phone use in classrooms in combination with school safety issues, some parent groups have criticized these policies accessibility for disabled students and crisis communication. Even so, limiting classroom cell phone use has garnered bipartisan support across the country with the introduction of state-level guidance and requirements, but more is to come in understanding the success of local implementation.
