Florida Lawmakers Approve Expanded Cell Phone Ban in Schools

Florida lawmakers on Friday approved legislation expanding the state’s restrictions on student cell phone use in schools, moving to prohibit elementary and middle school students from accessing mobile devices at any time during the school day.

The current law only bans phone use during instructional time. Under the newly approved changes, the ban would cover the entire school day—from the first bell to the last—for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. This includes lunch breaks and transitions between classes.

Legislation Details

Republican State Rep. Demi Busatta of Coral Gables led the legislation, which supporters describe as a “bell to bell” measure aimed at reducing distractions and reinforcing learning environments. While the new rules won’t apply across all high schools for now, the law creates a pilot program to test a full-day phone ban in high schools. The Florida Department of Education will select six school districts—two each from small, medium, and large counties—to participate in the trial.

Though some lawmakers raised concerns that the expanded ban could hinder communication during events like field trips, proponents argued students can still be contacted through school administrative offices, as was the norm before widespread cell phone use.

Broader Education Package

The cell phone ban is part of a broader education package that also includes controversial provisions regarding charter schools. The bill would make it easier to convert traditional public schools into charter schools by removing the requirement for majority teacher approval—leaving parental support as the only threshold for conversion. It also mandates that charter schools receive a share of local infrastructure sales surtax revenue, equal to that received by traditional public schools.

Additional changes in the legislation update graduation pathways in career and technical education, revise dual enrollment eligibility, and expand access to Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

Existing Cell Phone Policies

Some Florida schools have already implemented restrictive cell phone policies with notable results. In Broward County Public Schools, officials report that academic performance is up while school fights have decreased since banning cell phones. While some exceptions exist, students are generally required to keep their phones on airplane mode during the school day.

Implementation and Next Steps

Governor DeSantis has not yet indicated whether he will sign the bill, but if enacted, the new policies will be implemented in time for the upcoming school year.

Conclusion

The expanded cell phone ban in Florida schools aims to reduce distractions and improve learning environments. While some concerns have been raised, proponents argue that the benefits of the ban outweigh the potential drawbacks. As the bill awaits Governor DeSantis’ signature, schools and parents are preparing for the potential changes to come.