Summary
By 2026, 26 U.S. states will have banned students from using cellphones in K-12 schools during the entire school day. Some states have less strict rules, limiting phone use only during class. Many states let local school districts decide their own phone policies.
Key Facts
- 26 U.S. states have full bans on student cellphone use during school hours.
- States with full bans include Texas, Florida, and New York, among others.
- Some states like Arizona and Ohio only restrict phone use during class time.
- A few states encourage local school districts to set their own rules rather than having a state-wide law.
- 75% of U.S. adults support banning phones during class according to a 2025 Pew Research Center study.
- Some experts argue phones can be both helpful and disruptive in schools.
- Critics worry that banning phones could limit communication during emergencies.
- Some states have not set any state-wide cellphone use restrictions, leaving the decision to local districts.
