Wisconsin becomes the 36th state to limit cellphones in schools

MADISON, Wis. (AP) 鈥� Wisconsin became the 36th state to limit cellphones and other electronic devices in school Friday, when its Democratic governor signed a bill requiring districts to prohibit phone use during class time.

The measure passed with bipartisan support, though some Democrats in the Legislature said controlling gun violence should be a higher priority than banning cellphones.

In signing the bill, Gov. Tony Evers said he believes that decisions like this should be made at the local level, but 鈥渕y promise to the people of Wisconsin is to always do what鈥檚 best for our kids, and that obligation weighs heavily on me in considering this bill.鈥�

Evers said he was 鈥渄eeply concerned鈥� about the impacts of cellphone and social media use on young people. He said cellphones could be 鈥渁 major distraction from learning, a source of bullying, and a barrier to our kids鈥� important work of just being a kid.鈥�

This school year alone, new restrictions on phone use in schools went into effect in 17 states and the District of Columbia. The push to limit cellphone use has been rapid. to pass such a law, in 2023.

Both have taken up the cause, reflecting a that phones are bad for kids鈥� mental health and take their focus away from learning, even as some researchers say the issue is less clear-cut.

Most school districts in Wisconsin had already restricted cellphone use in the classroom, according to a report. The bill passed by the Legislature on Oct. 14 would require school districts to enact policies prohibiting the use of cellphones during instructional time.

Of the 36 states that restrict cellphones in school, phones are banned throughout the school day in 18 states and the District of Columbia, although Georgia and Florida impose 鈥渂ell-to-bell鈥� bans only from kindergarten through eighth grade. Another seven states ban them during class time, but not between classes or during lunch. Still others, particularly those with traditions of local school control, mandate only a cellphone policy, believing districts will take the hint and sharply restrict phone access.

Under the Wisconsin bill, all public schools are required to adopt a policy prohibiting the use of cellphones during instructional time by July 1. There would be exceptions including for use during an emergency or perceived threat; to manage a student鈥檚 health care; if use of the phone is allowed under the student鈥檚 individualized education program; or if written by a teacher for educational purposes.