Florida Schools Consider Expanding Phone Ban

Newsweek

12-05-2025

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Members of the Palm Beach County School Board in Florida are considering expanding a ban on cellphone use in schools.
Newsweek has contacted the school board for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Florida became the first state to crack down on phones on school in 2023 with a law that requires all public schools to ban student cellphone use during class time. Some states have followed suit—while many others have policies that restrict students' use of cellphones in schools.
Supporters say limiting use of cellphones will improve student learning and mental health. But others have noted that the bans could impact safety and not allow students to communicate on their phones in an emergency, such as during a school shooting.
A stock photo shows students using cellphones.
A stock photo shows students using cellphones.
iStock
What To Know
Lawmakers in Florida have approved legislation that would go further than the law already in effect and ban elementary and middle school students from using cellphones during the school day.
HB 1105 would also establish a pilot program for six school districts, which have yet to be named, to ban cellphone use for high school students "from bell to bell," according to The Palm Beach Post. It is expected to be signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
At a meeting last week, several members of the Palm Beach County School Board supported the idea of extending the "bell-to-bell" ban to high school students in the district.
Board member Edwin Ferguson said he is in favor of creating a policy for high school students because cellphones are "a huge distraction."
He noted that another district, Orange County Public Schools, had already banned phones for the entire school day.
Another member, Matthew Jay Lane, said he supported the idea, pointing to studies that have shown it will "increase academic achievement, enhance interpersonal communication, limit distractions and reduce bullying."
Another board member, Gloria Branch, said she supported students not being able to use their phones during the school day, but opposed spending money on pouches to keep phones locked in.
Board chair Karen Brill noted that parents who oppose the ban want to ensure their children have access to their phones in an emergency.
She said: "They don't want their phones collected because they're worried that if there was that emergency and they had to go into a safe room, that they would not have the phones on them."
Other board members argued that the district should focus on implementing the bell-to-bell ban on elementary and middle school students.
Marcia Andrews said she believes cellphones are "dangerous to our children," but that students "need the phones for emergencies."
She added: "We're going to have to follow the law, but I think we don't need to jump out there and begin to overdo this thing. I think high schools do a great job with taking care of the cellphones."
Erica Whitfield, another board member, agreed, saying that she is "always cautious when we talk about doing something huge to the school system."
What People Are Saying
Isabella Mirisola, the board's student representative, said during the meeting that she agrees students "shouldn't be on their phones during the school day."
But she said she believes students should be allowed to keep their phones on them "considering that, if there's an emergency in a school, I don't think that the teachers or administration are going to jump at emailing parents or calling parents. I think they're going to try getting rid of the situation first."
What's Next
The school board will hold a workshop on May 28 to discuss how to implement HB 1105.