News Summary
Florida has passed House Bill 1105, restricting cell phone use for elementary and middle school students throughout the school day, effective July 2025. The legislation replaces previous regulations, emphasizing the impact of cell phone bans on student learning and safety. A pilot program will test these restrictions in six high schools. Supporters argue it enhances focus and safety, while critics express concerns about student safety during emergencies. The bill also streamlines the conversion of public schools into charter schools, signaling a significant change in educational policy.
Tallahassee, Florida – In a significant shift for school policies, Florida has enacted House Bill 1105, which imposes strict limits on cell phone usage for elementary and middle school students. The law, effective from July 1, 2025, prohibits students at these education levels from using their cell phones throughout the entire school day. This new legislation replaces previous regulations that only restricted phone use during instructional periods.
The bill was passed during the final hours of the 2025 legislative session and is sponsored by Senator Danny Burgess, who emphasized the importance of examining the effects of enhanced cell phone bans on student learning and safety. In conjunction with this comprehensive ban for younger students, a pilot program will be launched in six high schools across Florida, allowing for a testing phase of full-day cell phone bans.
As part of the pilot program, selected high schools will represent a variety of county sizes, including two small, two mid-sized, and two large counties. The intent is to gather data on how total restrictions impact student behavior and academic performance before making any further state-wide decisions.
Proponents of the total ban argue that it could greatly improve emergency response capabilities and diminish distractions for students. They believe that by eliminating cell phones from the classroom entirely, students may foster a more conducive learning environment.
However, the law has sparked debate among educators and lawmakers. Critics, including Representative Anna Eskamani, raise concerns regarding potential negative implications for student safety in emergencies. They highlight the importance of allowing students to document bullying and other inappropriate behavior, which may be hindered by the restrictions.
While the ban applies to elementary and middle schools, high school students retain some flexibility regarding cell phone use. They are permitted to use their devices outside of class, and within classrooms, cell phone usage is restricted during instructional time unless specifically directed by a teacher for educational purposes. Furthermore, there are exemptions included for students who require phones for medical reasons, ensuring that their needs remain prioritized.
In addition to cell phone regulations, the same legislation streamlines the conversion process for public schools into charter schools, which comes along with additional benefits for charter institutions.
Florida is not alone in enacting these types of restrictions; in 2023, it became the first state to impose cell phone regulations in schools. Other states such as Indiana, Ohio, and New York have also adopted similar measures in response to concerns about cell phone distractions within educational settings.
A recent analysis by the Pew Research Center highlights that a substantial 72% of high school teachers believe that cell phones serve as a distraction to students. In contrast, 70% of students express a positive outlook towards their phone usage, indicating a notable divide between the perceptions of students and educators regarding the impact of cell phones in school environments.
Looking ahead, the designated pilot districts are expected to report their findings on the implications of the complete cell phone ban by the end of 2026. These findings should provide valuable insights on student behavior and academic performance, allowing Florida to assess the effectiveness of such legislation in enhancing educational outcomes.
The implementation of House Bill 1105 marks a transformative phase for school policies in Florida, emphasizing the need for continual evaluation of student engagement and safety in connection with technology integration in the classroom.
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Additional Resources
- My News 13
- Wikipedia: Cell phone use in schools
- Tallahassee.com
- Google Search: cell phone ban in schools
- Local 10 News
- Google Scholar: cell phone policies in schools
- Politico
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cell phone
- ABC Action News
- Google News: Florida school cell phone ban
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
