As more states enforce cell phone policies in schools, educators, parents, and students are adapting to new restrictions designed to reduce distractions, improve student well-being, and enhance classroom engagement. While each state takes a different approach—ranging from incentive programs to statewide mandates—the shared goal is to create more focused and productive learning environments for students.
For schools using Minga, these policies may change how students and staff access digital tools, but they will not impact the platform’s features we all know and love. Minga was designed for schools with and without personal device access, offering flexible options to accommodate both. And here’s the best part—teachers, you don’t have to be the enforcers! No matter what cell phone policy your school or state decides, our platform will handle the heavy lifting with consequence automation that supports policy enforcement while keeping your classroom organized, efficient, and stress-free.
Let’s take a closer look!
How do Cell Phone Bans Impact Schools Using Digital Tools
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is:
“How will a cellphone ban impact schools using Minga for tools like Digital Hall Passes, Behavior Tracking, Tardy Management, and other modules?”
The Short Answer:
A cell phone ban will have little to no impact on Minga’s functionality—it will only change how students and staff access it. Whether your school allows personal devices, provides 1:1 devices, or limits technology use, Minga is designed to work seamlessly in any environment. Regardless of how your state or district enforces a cellphone ban, Minga remains a fully adaptable solution to meet your campus management needs.
Minga’s Flexible Implementation Options for All Schools
Schools Allowing Student Devices
If your school permits personal devices, students can use Minga on their phones or tablets for student-driven workflows. This allows them to create digital hall passes, track behaviors, assign points, and check in to events—ensuring a smooth and efficient experience.
Schools Restricting Personal Devices Bell to Bell
Even with restrictions, some schools may still want to use personal devices for extracurricular activities outside of school. Students can utilize Minga outside of class for event check-ins (e.g., sports games, club meetings) and approved activities such as photo challenges!
Schools Providing 1:1 Devices
Minga works on any internet-connected device, including school-issued Chromebooks, iPads, and laptops. Students can easily access Minga without needing their personal phones, ensuring that digital tools remain available for daily use.
Schools Without 1:1 Devices or Student Device Access
For schools that do not allow personal devices and do not have a 1:1 device program, Minga provides two alternative solutions:
Teacher-Driven Management: Through MyClass, teachers can issue hall passes, track tardies, and manage behavior—all without requiring students to use a device. This ensures smooth classroom operations while keeping technology use teacher-controlled.
Kiosks: Shared stationary devices in hallways, classrooms, or common areas allow students to check in, request hall passes, and manage tasks from a centralized access point using Kiosk Mode.
Benefits of Transitioning to a Cell Phone-Free School with Minga
When schools implement new policies, especially those affecting student behavior, teachers often bear the burden of enforcement. Cell phone bans are no exception. Teachers have legitimate concerns about enforcing cell phone policies, as some have faced hostile or violent reactions from students and parents.
Minga helps reduce this pressure on teachers by automating behavior management, supporting the school’s progressive discipline framework, and providing real-time data and reports for policy violations.
With Minga:
- Teachers can digitally assign infractions effortlessly without disrupting instruction.
- Automate discipline, ensuring non-confrontational enforcement and reducing teacher-student conflicts.
- Parent notifications are triggered automatically when infractions occur and are supported by data, keeping families up-to-date and informed.
By streamlining enforcement and communication, Minga can help schools that are transitioning to cell phone-free learning environments while keeping teachers focused on what matters most—teaching.
Which States Have Active Cell Phone Policies?
A recent analysis completed by EducationWeek identified at least 19 states with active laws or policies restricting cell phone use in schools. This number is expected to grow as more states introduce legislation or issue guidance in response to concerns over student mental health and academics. Below is a brief look at the 19 states that have enacted different types of policies addressing cell phone use in schools.
Policy Incentives
Schools are encouraged to implement cell phone restrictions through grant funding or other financial support but are not mandated to do so.
Delaware: Delaware enacted Senate Bill 326 in June 2024, launching a $250,000 pilot program to encourage public schools serving grades 6-12 to limit cell phone use during school hours. Schools can apply for funding to purchase lockable phone storage pouches, promoting phone-free environments that enhance focus and encourage in-person interactions. The effectiveness of this initiative will be evaluated by the state education department, with a report due by May 1, 2025. This program reflects Delaware’s commitment to improving classroom engagement and addressing the negative impacts of smartphone use on student learning and mental health. (Effective 6/30/2024)
Idaho: Governor Brad Little and Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield issued Executive Order No. 2024-11, the Phone-Free Learning Act, on October 31, 2024. The order encourages all schools to implement district-wide cell phone restriction policies by the end of the 2024-25 school year. Districts that adopt these policies in alignment with State Department of Education guidelines are eligible for a $5,000 one-time grant. Schools with existing compliant policies can apply for reimbursement of up to $5,000. Governor Little has indicated plans to introduce legislation codifying cell phone restrictions in the 2025 legislative session. (Effective 10/31/2024)
Pennsylvania: Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 1207 on July 11, 2024, amending the School Safety and Mental Health grant program to include funding for cell phone lockable bags. Schools adopting policies prohibiting phone use during the school day can apply for grants to purchase these bags. Policies must allow exemptions for medical conditions requiring phone use, such as diabetes. Participating schools are required to track changes in student mental health, bullying, violence, and academic performance over two years and submit reports to the state. A full program report will be included in the state’s annual School Safety Report and is set to expire on December 1, 2026. (Effective 7/11/2024; Program Ends 12/1/2026)
Policy Recommendations
The state provides non-binding guidance suggesting that districts limit or restrict cell phone use, but local schools have the discretion to adopt or modify the policies.
Alabama: Governor Kay Ivey has endorsed legislation to ban smartphone use in public schools during instructional time, aligning with broader efforts to improve student focus and academic performance. Senator Donnie Chesteen (R-SD-29) and Representative Leigh Hulsey (R-HD-15) introduced the bill on February 4, 2025, proposing a statewide restriction while allowing local boards to determine specific exceptions. This initiative builds on existing legislation, notably a 2024 resolution by the Alabama State Board of Education, which strongly recommends districts adopt stricter phone policies.
Alaska: The Board of Education passed a resolution in October, urging local school boards to review and implement policies limiting cell phone use during instructional time. Governor Mike Dunleavy supported the resolution, and Education Commissioner Deena Bishop emphasized the importance of a unified state-led model policy. The new policy aims to allow designated times and areas for phone use, with exceptions for emergencies, health management, and IEP/504 plans. Currently, cell phone restrictions are set at the district or school level.
Connecticut: Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker announced voluntary guidelines recommending districts create age-appropriate restrictions on personal technology use. Adopted by the State Board of Education on August 21, 2024, the guidance focuses on removing cell phones and similar devices from elementary and middle school classrooms and limiting distractions in high schools. The policy highlights the importance of fostering student mental health and social skills by reducing smartphone use during the school day, while encouraging schools to engage families and educators in shaping district policies.
Kansas: The Kansas State Board of Education unanimously approved recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Student Cell Phone Use on December 10, 2024, encouraging districts to adopt a “bell-to-bell” phone restriction policy, banning personal device use throughout the school day, including in classrooms, between classes, and during lunch. Students would be required to store devices in designated locations. The recommendations are non-binding, allowing local districts to decide on implementation. Earlier in 2024, House Bill 2641, introduced by Rep. Adam Thomas, proposed a statewide ban on student phone use during school hours, but it did not advance. (Effective 12/10/2024, Local Adoption Varies)
Oklahoma: Governor Kevin Stitt issued Executive Order 2024-26 on September 11, 2024, launching the Oklahoma Phone-Free Schools Challenge. The initiative encouraged districts to adopt phone-free policies by November 29, 2024, with exemptions for emergencies, medical monitoring, and IEP/504 plans. Districts were required to submit their policies to the Governor’s office by January 3, 2025, which informed the best practices report prepared by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. This report was submitted to the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate President Pro Tempore on January 3, 2025. Earlier legislative efforts, including Senate Bill 1321 and Senate Bill 1314 in 2023, aimed to incentivize or mandate phone-free policies but did not advance. Following this groundwork, Senate Bill 139, filed by Sen. Ally Seifried on December 27, 2024, proposed requiring districts to implement “bell-to-bell” phone-free policies while establishing a $2 million grant fund to assist schools. Further legislative actions are expected during the 2025 session, which begins February 3, 2025.
Oregon: In October 2024, Director Dr. Charlene Williams from the Oregon Department of Education issued guidance recommending school districts review and update their cell phone policies to limit or restrict device use during the school day. The guidance included three model policies and urged districts to involve staff, students, and communities in policy development, address liability concerns for theft or loss, and avoid punitive enforcement measures that disrupt learning. The guidance also emphasized teaching digital citizenship, media literacy, and responsible technology use. Supported by Governor Tina Kotek, the recommendations aim to reduce distractions, improve student well-being, and foster equitable learning environments. Some districts, such as Portland Public Schools and Lake Oswego, have already implemented phone bans, serving as examples for others. Legislative efforts to regulate cell phone use in schools may follow in 2025. (Effective October 2024; Local Adoption Varies)
Washington: On August 28, 2024, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal issued guidance encouraging school districts to develop policies restricting student cell phone use by the start of the 2025-26 school year. While OSPI’s guidance provides recommended policies, it does not carry the force of law. To address this, Rep. McClintock introduced House Bill 1122 and Sen. Liias introduced Senate Bill 5346 in early 2025, both requiring Washington’s nearly 300 school districts to implement restrictions on mobile device use during instructional hours. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must submit a report by December 15, 2025, summarizing existing policies and providing model recommendations. School districts must adopt policies aligned with OSPI’s model by March 15, 2026, ensuring full implementation by the 2026-27 school year.
Policy Required
Schools are mandated to establish and enforce a cell phone policy, but districts may have flexibility in designing their specific rules within state guidelines.
Arkansas: Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a statewide pilot program to address youth mental health and reduce screen addiction. Effective July 2, 2024, the program provides grants for secondary schools to purchase pouches for safely storing phones during the school day, promoting better learning environments and in-person socialization. The program also offers funding for telehealth mental health services and assistance in connecting students and families to mental healthcare resources. This initiative is part of a broader effort to combat the mental health crisis, including restrictions on social media for minors and recommendations for phone-free schools.
California: Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 3216, the Phone-Free Schools Act, requiring all public schools, charter schools, and county education offices to adopt policies limiting smartphone use during the school day by July 1, 2026. The legislation aims to address the mental health, academic, and social well-being of students by minimizing digital distractions and promoting meaningful in-person interactions. Policies will be developed with input from students, parents, and educators and must allow exceptions for emergencies, individualized instruction, and medical needs. Schools are also required to update these policies every five years to reflect evolving needs. This builds on California’s 2019 law (AB 272), which granted districts authority to regulate smartphone use.
Indiana: Senate Bill 185, signed by Governor Eric Holcomb on March 11, 2024, requires districts to adopt policies banning portable wireless devices during instructional time. Exceptions are allowed for emergencies, educational needs, and IEP/504 plans. (Effective 7/1/2024)
Minnesota: As part of the education policy law HF3782/SF3567/CH109, effective May 18, 2024, Minnesota requires all school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy regarding the possession and use of cell phones in schools by March 15, 2025. The law mandates the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association and the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals to collaborate and publish best practices aimed at minimizing the impact of cell phones on student behavior, mental health, and academic outcomes. These policies may include strategies such as restricting phone use during instructional hours, designating phone-free zones, and providing guidance on digital well-being. Schools must align their policies with these best practices by the set deadline. (Effective 5/18/2024; Compliance Required by 3/15/2025)
Ohio: House Bill 250, signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine on May 15, 2024, mandates that all school districts establish policies governing student cellphone use during the school day. These policies aim to limit the use of cell phones while including exceptions for health monitoring, special education services, and emergencies. The Ohio Department of Education was required to develop a model policy by January 1, 2025, to assist districts. Appropriations related to the bill became effective on May 15, 2024, while amendments took effect on January 1, 2025. (Effective 7/1/2024; Model Policy Effective 1/1/2025)
Virginia: On July 9, 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33, directing the Virginia Department of Education to establish guidelines for cell phone-free education in K-12 schools. The order, supported by collaboration with health and education agencies, aimed to address the mental health challenges and distractions associated with student cell phone use. On September 16, 2024, the department issued final guidance requiring districts to adopt policies by January 1, 2025, tailored to elementary, middle, and high schools. The guidance includes exemptions for Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 Plans and offers microgrants of up to $10,000 for districts to support parent education programs and policy implementation. Stakeholder engagement, including public listening sessions, shaped the policy, with widespread support from families and educators.
Statewide Restrictions
A state-enforced ban prohibits student cell phone use during designated times, typically with limited exceptions for emergencies, medical needs, or IEP accommodations.
Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 379 on May 9, 2023, enacting a statewide ban on student cell phone use during instructional time and prohibiting social media access on school Wi-Fi. The law also mandates that teachers designate an area for wireless communication devices and requires public schools to provide instruction on the social, emotional, and physical effects of social media. The bill additionally bans TikTok and similar platforms on district-owned devices and school networks. Additionally, the law mandates instruction for students in grades 6-12 on the social, emotional, and physical effects of social media. Teachers may designate a specific area for wireless communication devices, and district school boards must establish policies governing student device use. The law also bans the use of TikTok and similar platforms on district-owned devices and school networks. (Effective 7/1/2023)
Louisiana: Act No. 313 (Senate Bill 207), signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry on May 28, 2024, amends existing legislation to strengthen cell phone restrictions in schools. The updated law mandates that students must turn off and stow electronic telecommunication devices throughout the instructional day. Exceptions are made for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individualized Accommodation Plan (IAP), Section 504 Plan, or Individualized Health Plan that necessitates the use of such devices. (Effective 5/28/2024)
South Carolina: In July 2024, Governor Henry McMaster signed a provision in the state’s 2024-25 budget requiring districts to adopt a cell phone policy to receive state aid. The State Board of Education approved a model policy in September 2024 mandating that students keep phones and smartwatches off and stored in backpacks or lockers during the school day, with exceptions for students with IEPs or 504 plans. The policy allows districts to adopt stricter rules and determine consequences for violations. The initiative, supported by Governor McMaster, aims to reduce distractions, improve student focus, and foster equitable learning environments. Districts must implement the policy by January 1, 2025.
Planning for a Successful Implementation
For schools using Minga’s all-in-one platform, preparing for a cell phone-free environment is simple—just determine the best alternative for any student-owned device workflows and enable automated consequences to eliminate the need for teacher enforcement. Schools relying on multiple disconnected tools for digital hall passes, student check-ins, communication, behavior tracking, flextime management, and IDs may face a more complex transition, requiring coordination with each vendor to ensure the tool is still viable.
Adjusting to new policies takes time, but with the right strategy, schools can implement cell phone policies effectively while maintaining smooth operations. Schools using Minga can confidently navigate these changes by leveraging alternative device workflows, teacher-driven tools, and automated enforcement to maintain smooth campus management without adding stress to educators. If your school or district’s digital tools are being impacted by the cell phone ban, or are looking for strategies to reduce the administrative burden of enforcing cell phone policies, connect with one of our campus management experts to see how Minga can help.
