Senate Passes Legislation to Make Schools Cell Phone-Free
Bill removes ‘greatest distraction device ever created’ from classrooms, keeps students focused on learning
(BOSTON—07/31/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today passed legislation to create cell phone-free schools across the Commonwealth. By requiring school districts to prohibit student cell phone use during the school day, the bill aims to boost focus, improve mental health, and foster healthier learning environments.
S.2561, An Act to promote student learning and mental health, requires all public school districts to adopt cell phone-free school policies by fall 2026. Reasonable exceptions to the rule will be made for students who need their personal devices for treating medical conditions, off-campus travel requirements, individualized education plans (IEP), or to accommodate a disability. Districts must ensure that students and caregivers have at least one method of communication during school hours and that students and families can communicate during emergency situations.
“Massachusetts has a proud history of supporting and uplifting K-12 public education for our residents, but a device small enough to fit in a pocket presents a profound challenge to ensuring student success,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “That’s why I charged the Senate in May of this year to explore ways to make our schools cell phone free. This legislation delivers on that commitment and builds on the Senate’s mission of creating a statewide education system that continues to promote learning and growth. I am deeply grateful to Chair Lewis and Chair Rodrigues for their leadership on this bill, and each of the Senators who have contributed to addressing this challenge.”
“This impactful legislation will make many beneficial and lasting improvements in the quality of our public school education. Countless studies have shown the detrimental and distracting effects of cell phone usage both in the classroom, and for entire school day,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “While many school districts have already implemented some type of cell phone restriction, this bill takes a uniform approach to this problem, tasking the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish a clear ban on cell phones and electronic devices for public school students. The results in the other states that have enacted similar legislation is startling; students are more engaged, become more proficient in their studies, and the student-teacher relationship is enhanced. This measure also greatly reduces the threat of cyber-bullying. I would like to thank Senator Lewis for working to craft this final bill, and Senate President Spilka for her leadership on this issue.”
“There are a myriad of negative effects linked to the growing issue of student cell phone usage at school and in the classroom, including diminished academic performance, poorer mental health, worse relationship building and social skills, reduced safety during emergencies, and more,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “According to Pew Research, 72 per cent of high school teachers consider cell phones to be a ‘major problem’ in the classroom, and numerous studies have shown the many robust benefits to student learning and growth by removing cell phones from their educational environment. Thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka for championing this issue and to all the many students, parents, teachers, school administrators, researchers, and other stakeholders and legislators we've worked with while putting this bill together.”
To guide districts in crafting these policies, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will create model guidelines within 180 days of the enactment of the law. Districts will have the freedom to decide what works best for them, whether they decide on using pouches, lockers, or other storage options for electronic devices. Districts will also have the ability to adjust rules based on grade levels or the structures of their school days.
According to Pew Research Center, surveys have shown that 72 per cent of high school teachers report that cellphone distractions are a major problem in the classroom. The survey also reports that 68 percent of U.S. adults are in support of banning personal electronic use in the classroom, demonstrating the strong public approval of this bill. Research from KKF demonstrates a rising number of states implementing classroom cellphone bans to address youth mental health issues and eliminate academic distractions.
Approximately 80 school districts have already reported, through a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education pilot grant, that they have implemented student cell phone use policies, with even more districts likely putting similar measures in place outside of the grant program. Additionally, numerous states have enacted statewide bans or restrictions on cellphone use in schools, with another seven states having issued policies aimed at limiting student electronic use.
Each district will be required to notify families of their policy each year by September 1, beginning in 2026, and submit annual updates of their district’s current policy with DESE. DESE will then provide an initial report of implementation to the Legislature at the end of 2027.
Having passed the Senate, the bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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