WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – A bill has been introduced in the Utah State Legislature to limit cell phone use by students during class.
The proposed policy, first reported on by FOX 13 News last week, would set a statewide standard for cellphone use during school hours. Currently, it’s a hodgepodge of policies set by schools and districts, with cellphone use allowed by default.
“We have found that the rise in social media and smartphone use is significantly impacting both the mental health of our students and the quality of their educational experiences,” said Senator Lincoln Fillmore (R-South Jordan). “The goal of this legislation is to empower school districts, teachers and students to create a more focused and productive learning environment. Through these efforts, teachers can focus more on teaching and less on being the cell phone police.”
Under the bill released Monday, students would be prohibited from using a cell phone during class. However, districts could create exceptions. Some schools have already done so. Granger High School, for example, requires students to store their phones in a magnetic pocket during class. Students can access them before or after school or during recess.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Fillmore and his co-sponsor, Republican Representative Doug Welton of Payson (who is also a full-time high school teacher), has the support of The Policy Project, a group that advocates for youth health initiatives. The Policy Project has successfully pushed legislation to provide free menstrual products in schools and expand sexual abuse education in the classroom.
“Smartphones have become a major distraction in Utah’s schools – disrupting classroom climates, lowering academic performance, and contributing to bullying and social isolation,” Emily Bell McCormick, president of The Policy Project, said in a statement. “Parents and families need support, students need guidance, and teachers need help responding to this growing epidemic. We must act together to redefine the norm around smartphones in schools.”
The bill will be considered in the 2025 legislative session, which begins in January.
