The following states have laws or executive orders banning or restricting the use of cell phones in schools as of 2025: States with active laws banning or restricting cell phones in schools:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia (ban for K-8 students starting July 2026)
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Nebraska (bans phones throughout the school day)
- Nevada
- New York (bell-to-bell ban starting 2025-26 school year)
- North Dakota (bell-to-bell ban starting 2025-26 school year)
- Oklahoma (bell-to-bell ban starting 2025-26 school year)
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
States with laws limiting cell phones in classrooms include:
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Ohio
Cell phone ban legislation is pending in:
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
The only states without any policies on cell phone use in schools are Mississippi and Wyoming. Bans vary from restricting use during instructional time to the entire school day ("bell-to-bell" bans). Some states like Florida started with partial bans and are moving toward full-day bans. Several new bans have taken effect or are set to take effect in the 2025-26 school year. These bans are generally motivated by concerns over student mental health, classroom distractions, and academic focus.
If you would like, I can provide more details about specific state laws or the nature of the bans.
