Undated - As students start school this year, 17 states and the District of Columbia are imposing new cellphone restrictions. In total, 35 states have passed laws or rules to limit student phone use in schools, with 29 states taking action this year.
In the Michigan House in July, a Republican-sponsored bill directing schools to ban phones bell-to-bell in grades K-8 and during high school instruction time was defeated in July after Democrats insisted on upholding local control. Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who made restricting phones in schools a priority this year, is still calling for a bill to come to her desk.
The movement has gained bipartisan support due to concerns about phones affecting mental health and learning. Some states have enacted full-day bans, while others restrict phone use during class. Researchers say that it’s too soon yet to determine whether phone restrictions will bring all the benefits that supporters seek.
