Gov. Kay Ivey signs law banning smartphones in Alabama public schools
On Wednesday, Gov. Kay Ivey signed the FOCUS Act, which would prohibit students from using smart phones and 'other wireless devices' in public school.
'In my state of the state address, I repeated the requests of Alabama teachers and parents in calling for a ban on student cell phone use in our schools,' Ivey said in a statement. 'Smart phones have beneficial roles when used in proper settings. However, these often-disruptive devices have no place in our classrooms during the school day except for educational purposes or during an emergency. The FOCUS Act will enable students to 'focus' on learning while in school rather than on their phones.'
As part of the FOCUS Act, students must keep phones in their locker, backpack, car or another storage location. However, students are allowed to use them for emergencies.
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The FOCUS Act also requires the Alabama State Department of Education to offer safe social media training for all students entering the eighth grade.
'As a parent, equipping my children to excel in all aspects of life is priority number one, and what they learn in the classroom plays an immense role in that,' said Rep. Leigh Hulsey, who sponsored the bill. 'The FOCUS Act will limit distractions and provide an avenue for every student in our state to get the absolute most out of their day at school, leading to a stronger Alabama of tomorrow. I am grateful to Governor Ivey for the opportunity to sponsor this important legislation and sincerely appreciate the support of my colleagues in the House and Senate.'
However, others think the bill doesn't provide enough exceptions for when phone may actually be needed.
'In the bill, they're gonna be able to have them on campus, their lockers. That's not a workable solution for me,' Democratic Rep. Barbara Drummond told CBS 42 back in March.
Some school systems have already taken steps to curb phone use in the classroom. For example, Pike Road Junior High in Montgomery County has a policy requiring students to leave their phones in a specialized pouch that can only be opened at the end of the day or with permission.
According to a survey published last summer by the Pew Research Center, 72% of high school teachers across the country feel cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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