Multiple US School Districts Enforce Stricter Student Cellphone Restrictions for 2025-26

Several school districts across the U.S. are implementing stricter cellphone policies for the 2025-2026 school year to reduce distractions and enhance student safety and academic focus. Marin County schools require students to store phones out of sight during class, with possible confiscation for violations, while Clarksville-Montgomery County School System has introduced a complete blackout policy banning phones throughout the instructional day, including hallways, with disciplinary consequences for infractions. The Corpus Christi Independent School District mandates phones be kept in backpacks, with possible confiscation and fees for retrieval, emphasizing communication through the school office to address safety concerns. San Diego Unified School District enforces a phone-off and out-of-sight rule during school hours, allowing usage only before and after school, with a restorative justice approach for enforcement. Rissler Elementary in Missouri requires phones to be off and stored during school hours and has adjusted dismissal procedures for walkers to enhance safety. These policies reflect a growing trend to balance technological use with student wellbeing, safety, and academic priorities, often involving input from parents, educators, and legislative mandates.