As concerns about student mental health and academic focus grow, states across the country are taking steps to limit learning distractions in classrooms and schools. Research increasingly highlights the negative impact of excessive screen time, cell phone interruptions and social media on young people, leading policymakers to prioritize digital safety and healthier learning environments.
In 2024, 11 states—California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia—adopted new policies aimed at changing classroom culture and fostering environments where students can thrive academically and emotionally.
Pew Research Center’s survey found that most parents are concerned that access to social media and cell phones in schools contributes to distractions, cyberbullying and declines in student mental health. Studies, including work by NYU professor Jonathan Haidt, author of Smartphones vs. Smart Kids, emphasize the correlation between increased screen time and rising levels of anxiety and depression among students.
The American Psychological Association issued a health advisory on social media use among teens and pre-teens, where experts point to evidence that suggests exposure to maladaptive behavior online “may promote similar behavior among vulnerable youth, and online social reinforcement of these behaviors may be related to increased risk for serious psychological symptoms.” Among their recommendations: limit kids’ exposure and teach digital literacy skills.
We aren’t past the point of no return, though. Some policies states should and are considering include:
- Banning or limiting cell phone use throughout the school day.
- Restricting access to social media platforms on school devices or networks.
- Establishing age restrictions for social media access.
- Providing digital literacy education to help students navigate the online world responsibly.
- Engaging parents and teachers to create consistent digital usage policies.
By implementing such measures, schools can reduce distractions, improve classroom management and promote mental and social well-being for students.
In 2024, nearly a dozen states led the charge to tackle the challenges of the digital age by limiting student access to social media and cell phones in schools and improving students’ digital literacy. Here’s a summary of their actions:
- California: California adopted the Phone-Free School Act, which requires that every school district, charter school and county office of education develop a policy limiting the use of cell phones by July 1, 2026.
- Florida: Florida enacted a law that bans the use of cell phones during instructional time across all public schools as well as a law that establishes age restrictions for social media access. The policy also restricts access to social media platforms on school Wi-Fi networks and encourages schools to adopt digital literacy programs.
- Georgia: Georgia passed legislation requiring the creation of a model program to educate students in grades 6-12 on the impact of social media on mental health. Additionally, local boards of education must adopt their own social media policy, and social media platforms must make a reasonable effort to verify users’ ages when creating accounts.
- Idaho: Idaho Gov. Brad Little issued an executive order encouraging and incentivizing districts to limit cell phone use in schools.
- Indiana: Indiana implemented a statewide policy requiring students to turn off cell phones and store them in designated areas during class. The law also promotes parent-teacher collaboration to monitor screen time and educate families on the risks of excessive social media use.
- Louisiana: Louisiana restricted access to social media platforms on school devices and networks, citing concerns about student mental health and cyberbullying. The state also launched a task force to study the long-term effects of social media use among students and recommend further policy changes.
- Minnesota: Minnesota enacted a law that requires school districts to adopt policies on cell phone use in schools, leaving districts to craft specific policies.
- Ohio: Ohio passed legislation mandating social media restrictions on school-issued devices and requiring districts to develop policies for managing personal device use during school hours. The law aims to foster better academic focus and reduce digital distractions.
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania expanded the eligible uses of existing mental health grant dollars to include the implementation of phone-free school policies.
- South Carolina: South Carolina passed a provision in the 2025 budget that requires school districts to prohibit access to personal devices during the school day. Districts will need to implement this policy to receive certain state funds.
- Virginia: Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33, which requires school districts to adopt policies that limit cell phone use during the school day by January 1, 2025.
The steps taken by these 11 states in 2024 reflect a growing awareness of the negative impact of unrestricted social media and cell phone use on student well-being and academic success. These policies are reshaping classroom culture by reducing distractions and promoting healthier, more focused learning environments.
Looking ahead to 2025, we can expect more states to join this movement as the evidence for the benefits of limiting digital distractions continues to grow. By prioritizing student mental health and academic focus, these states are setting a new standard for the role of technology in education. Together, these actions are helping schools meet the challenges of the digital age and create a brighter, healthier future for students.
Click here to read the rest of this blog series, where we summarize which states took action on key, trending 2024 education legislation.
