Multiple US School Districts Enforce New Comprehensive Student Cellphone Bans

Several school districts across the country have implemented new, stricter cell phone policies for the 2025-2026 school year aimed at minimizing distractions and improving academic performance. In Missouri, Neosho High School follows a state law requiring a ban on cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds, and headphones throughout the entire school day from arrival to dismissal. Similarly, Sioux Falls School District in South Dakota prohibits elementary and middle school students from using phones during school hours, while high school students may use phones only during lunch; the policy also includes specific rules for bus usage. In California, the San Diego Unified School District has adopted a phone-free policy for all grades TK-12, requiring phones to be off and out of sight during school hours except before and after school, on buses, during extracurriculars, and for high schoolers during lunch and passing periods. Enforcement in San Diego uses a restorative approach starting with reminders and escalating to confiscation and potential event restrictions for repeat offenders. These policies reflect a growing trend nationwide to prioritize student focus and mental health by limiting mobile device use during school hours.