Ohio is poised to institute a significant change in school policy.
Beginning January 1, 2026, all public school districts must formally prohibit cell phone use during the school day. This mandate, tucked into the state’s newly passed two-year budget, has ignited debate on issues ranging from classroom focus to safety and local control.
The policy emerged from a push championed by Gov. Mike DeWine, who first proposed the measure during his State of the State Address in March. Under the approved budget provision, each school district must adopt a policy banning phone use during instructional hours. However, the law preserves flexibility by allowing limited phone use tied to “student learning or to monitor or address a health concern,” including documented medical needs.
Gov. DeWine praised the policy for tackling a growing problem. When the Ohio Senate passed similar legislation earlier this year, he lauded it as a critical step toward “unplugging our children from the constant flow of distractions” that harm both learning environments and student wellbeing.
Sen. Jane Timken, R–Canton, echoed these concerns in the Ohio Senate vote, pointing to the “unprecedented” rise in phone-related anxiety, depression, and slipping academic performance. She urged that it was time to prioritize students' social and emotional wellness.
Within schools, many administrators and educators share this view. A teacher in a Reddit thread described a two-week cellphone-free pilot as a “night-and-day difference,” noting that it brought “less fights, more participation, more positive social interactions, thoughtful conversations, higher scores on work.” Another educator called it a “no-brainer,” reporting that student engagement dramatically improved with phones stowed.
Supporters also cite examples from other states. At least eight—including Florida, Indiana, and California—have adopted phone restrictions in schools. According to an Associated Press analysis, advocates argue these safeguards protect mental health and curb classroom distractions. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders called phone-free days beneficial nationwide.
Still, AP noted that some worry bans may limit communication in emergencies.
Opponents offer two main criticisms: safety risk and erosion of local governance. Some parents lament that a phone ban could compromise communication during emergencies. One example was cited in Georgia, where critics said phones reassured students and families amid a tragic shooting, adding that students “need that seven‑hour break from the pressures of phones” is not an adequate rebuttal.
Others argue that state-level mandates overstep local control. A Columbus-area parent told Reuters (via Reddit) that while nearly all districts already ban phones in halls and classes, mandating this statewide “seizes discretion from local officials” and diminishes accountability to school board voters.
The new law includes specific carve-outs: districts must allow phones for learning or medical reasons with proper documentation. It also requires administrators to develop emergency protocols enabling phone use “during an active threat or emergency”.
Supporters claim such measures and school-operated communication systems can bridge safety gaps. However, critics caution that relying on centralized systems may fall short, especially if desperate parents cannot connect during fast-moving crises.
Ohio’s public schools have until Jan. 1, 2026, to update their policies. As they do, the state stands at the forefront of a growing nationwide effort to recalibrate the role of technology in classrooms, raising questions about whether the benefits in focus and social development will outweigh concerns about flexibility and local oversight.
