35 States Enforce Classroom Smartphone Bans to Curb Distractions

Several states, including Tennessee, Alabama, and New York, have enacted laws banning or restricting the use of cell phones and other wireless devices in public school classrooms to reduce distractions and improve student focus. Tennessee's new law requires schools to adopt policies prohibiting device use during instructional time, with exceptions for emergencies and special education needs. Alabama's FOCUS Act, signed in 2025, enforces a bell-to-bell ban on smartphones in schools, leading to reported improvements in student engagement and reduced teacher burnout, with educators praising the shift as transformative. Similarly, New York has implemented a statewide ban on smartphone use throughout the school day, motivated by concerns over mental health impacts and educational disruption caused by social media and excessive phone use. These measures reflect a broader national trend, with at least 26 states enforcing bans or limits on classroom cellphone use amid growing evidence linking problematic smartphone use to negative mental health outcomes in teenagers. Teachers across these states report that banning phones has led to increased participation, note-taking, and interpersonal interaction among students.