Virginia Enacts Statewide Bell-to-Bell School Cellphone Ban

New Hampshire and Virginia have both enacted stringent 'bell-to-bell' bans on cellphone use in public schools, prohibiting personal electronic devices from the start to the end of the school day, including lunch and passing periods. In New Hampshire, bipartisan support is strong for a full-day phone ban set to take effect before the next school year, with backing from educators, superintendents, and the state's largest teachers' union, the NEA. Meanwhile, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed legislation codifying his 2024 executive order, which requires school divisions to implement full-day cellphone bans, aiming to reduce distractions, cyberbullying, and mental health issues among students. The new Virginia law mandates that phones be turned off and securely stored during school hours, a policy already piloted successfully in Hopewell, where improved discipline and academic performance were observed. Despite some opposition citing students' need to use phones for work or personal matters, the bans have received overwhelming legislative support and are intended to foster better learning environments free from digital distractions. Both states emphasize that these policies promote healthier, safer, and more focused classrooms.