(Des Moines) A bill is one step closer to restricting cell phones in Iowa schools. The bill requires all Iowa public school districts to create policies for restrictions on cell phone use during classroom instruction by July 1st. Policies must also include emergency contact plans, and students with documented disabilities or special education needs to have access to devices. The state Senate passed the bill that will head to the House for approval before being signed by Governor Kim Reynolds.
In November, Iowa Capital Dispatch reported that several states have enacted laws restricting school cellphone use. According to KFF Health News, eight states have established such policies in state law as of September. Indiana, Florida, and Louisiana have already implemented their 2024-2025 school year restrictions, while Minnesota, Virginia, Ohio, and South Carolina plan to enforce theirs in 2025. California has also passed a law that will take effect in 2026.
Additionally, nine states have introduced pilot programs or received recommendations from state education departments to limit or ban cellphone use in schools. Another twelve states, including Iowa, have previously considered statewide policies on the issue.
The push for these restrictions has gained momentum nationwide as educators struggle to manage classroom phone use. Research has also highlighted concerns linking social media use to increased rates of depression and anxiety among adolescents.
