FLORIDA - Florida lawmakers are advancing efforts to reduce classroom distractions and promote student engagement by cracking down on cell phone use in schools.
On Wednesday, the Florida House unanimously passed a bill that would prohibit students from using mobile devices throughout the entire school day, not just during instructional time.
Sponsored by Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera (R-Coral Gables), the legislation builds upon a 2023 law that already restricts device use during class unless approved by a teacher for learning purposes.
The new bill, HB 949, would require school districts to implement broader rules, limiting phone use from the start of the school day until dismissal, with certain exceptions.
For instance, students with medical conditions such as diabetes would be allowed to use their phones if they provide documentation from a doctor.
Supporters argue that constant phone access contributes to both academic distraction and increased incidents of bullying.
Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Pensacola) said excessive phone use among youth is undermining their ability to form meaningful personal relationships, warning, “We are removing humanity from humankind.”
Meanwhile, the Senate is considering a separate proposal that would create a pilot program to study the effects of full-day cell phone bans in select districts.
That bill, sponsored by Sen. Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills), would also require the education commissioner to develop a statewide model policy by the end of 2026.
With the legislative session ending May 2, lawmakers still have time to align the two proposals into a unified policy aimed at improving student focus and campus behavior across Florida.
Photo: skynesher / E+ / Getty Images