How do you feel about Florida banning cellphone for students?

[Cubus]

Students across Florida could be required to put their cellphones away for essentially the entire school day — not just during instruction time — under a new bill introduced Tuesday.

The legislation, FL HB949 (25R), would build on Florida’s 2023 law that was the first in the nation to curb student cellphone use by outlawing the devices while teachers are leading lessons, unless used for educational purposes. This measure would take that further by calling on school districts to ban cellphones from bell-to-bell, outside of specific designated areas on campus.

Since Florida passed the first school cellphone ban, more than a dozen states, red and blue alike, have enacted similar laws aiming to crack down on students being plugged in during school hours. At least four states — Arkansas, Louisiana, Virginia and South Carolina — now have bell-to-bell restrictions like those pursued by the Florida House.

At least one Florida school district, Orange County Public Schools, has gone beyond state law by already prohibiting cellphones all day, even during lunch and passing periods. While the idea appeared daunting at first for large campuses, school leaders say the reaction from parents and discipline results have been positive.

While the bill scored bipartisan support, there are some concerns about how parents could contact children during an emergency or otherwise get information to them at school. But for lawmakers, the possible benefit appears to outweigh that issue.

Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/11/florida-floats-stricter-cellphone-ban-for-students-00223628

[BCA6010]

That was standard public School policy when I was in highschool, and even though I agree with it in practice, making it an actual law seems unnecessary. I'm guessing there's more to this than simply trying to ban a distraction from the classroom.

[OlderAndWiser]

Parents can always call the school office if they have a true emergency that requires communicating with their child. I suspect that most parent calls to kids at school are matters of convenience and not emergencies.

[OlderAndWiser]

Thanks for MHO!

[Cubus]

You're welcome.

[abc3643]

I am fine with that.
I used to teach in college 37 years ago before smartphones existed. I often think about what I would do to combat cell phones in class taking away my students' attention. It occurred to me to buy a cell phone jammer and activate it while I taught, but cell phone jammers are illegal in the US and I likely could not buy or receive the one I knew of that was made in the UK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYc62b4GP74

[NaultD]

Back in the day it was illegal to film cops at anytime. Majority of the time it was filming police brutality.

Conspiracy theory tin foil hat time

The gop actively want to abandon old people the largest voting base for the young crowd. To getting rid of social security and medicade any and all social safety nets.

So the gop want to make schools as authoritarian as possible so students grow up as evil and selfish as possible. To one day, full-on nazi purge anyone that can't defend themselves.

[TrueConfection]

I’m fine with school rules not allowing for cell phone use, but state law?

Our local schools don’t allow cell phones at any time. Mostly because there are privacy laws in place that don’t allow photos of students to be taken without parental permission. During instruction time doesn’t need explanation.

[exitseven]

There are a few towns where I live that bought these locking bags. The kids put their cell phone in the bag in the morning and the bag gets unlocked at the end of the school day.
I think that there is something the kids can buy to hack the lock.

[DrPepper12]

All for it HOWEVER

I've confiscated phones as a teacher. It's UGLY. Ever try to separate a teen from their phone I'm front of their peers? Yeah. UGLY!

My colleagues had phones they had taken STOLEN by other student rivals with legal repercussions.

Teachers & staff have been assaulted.

Schools with cops (a dumb travesty) have criminalized disciplinary infractions.

Just stuff to think about first

[Summeroflove]

Well maybe they can focus on education now. Every student has a phone but not every student can perform basic reading or math.

[lightbulb27]

good, most should. things are causing problems.

[combative]

It's a good step toward improving education.

[SmokinAces2000]

I think it’s stupid. Kids are going to use their phones it’s inevitable in today’s society.

[IslaTheWitch]

quite normal in Germany...

[NathanDavis]

that sounds great...

[Pterodon]

Good idea