Alabama Governor backs bill restricting smart phone use in schools
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WRBL) – Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is throwing her support behind a new bill to limit student cell phone use during instructional time in public schools, a move aimed at improving focus and academic performance.
The legislation, introduced by Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-SD-29) and Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-HD-15), does not prohibit students from bringing phones to school but allows educators to restrict their use during lessons. Local school boards would have discretion over enforcement policies.
'Students cannot do their best when their learning environment is cluttered with distractions,' Ivey said. 'I share the view of most teachers and parents that cell phones should be banned in the classroom.'
Rep. Joe Lovvorn, Alabama House District 79, says the push for classroom phone restrictions comes as Alabama has made significant progress in education rankings. Over the last five years, the state has climbed from 52nd to 32nd in fourth-grade math and from 49th to 34th in fourth-grade reading—some of the largest gains in the nation.
'We've been able to do this thanks to the hard work of our students and teachers and the Legislature prioritizing common sense education policy. HB166 does not prevent parents from sending their children to school with a phone but allows educators to limit its use during instruction. The bottom line is that eliminating distractions in the classroom better positions our future leaders to reach their full potential,' said Rep. Lovvorn (R-HD-79).
While many parents and educators support the measure, concerns remain over how it may affect student safety and communication. Some families rely on tracking apps like Life360 to monitor their child's location. However, the bill allows phone use before and after class and does not restrict access during extracurricular activities.
In addition to phone restrictions, the legislation includes provisions for internet safety policies on school devices and requires social media training for students before eighth grade.
The bill now moves to the Alabama Legislature for debate and potential amendments. If passed, it would apply to all public schools across the state, with local districts responsible for implementation.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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