COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) — Ohio students are beginning their first full school year under a statewide restriction on cell phone use during the instructional day, with education experts saying the policy’s effectiveness will largely depend on how individual schools, families and students implement it.
Ohio first required school districts to establish cell phone policies in 2024. Lawmakers later strengthened the requirement, directing public school districts, community schools and STEM schools to prohibit student cell phone use throughout the instructional day.
The requirement took effect Jan. 1 and covers more than classroom instruction. Students generally cannot use cell phones during lunch, recess, passing periods or other supervised activities.
Individual districts determine how phones are stored and how violations are handled. Districts may also extend their restrictions to other electronic communication devices, including smartwatches.
State law provides exceptions for educational purposes, certain medical needs, individualized education programs, 504 plans and emergencies.
Some schools have already reported changes since implementing stricter phone policies, including students talking more during lunch, interacting more in hallways and remaining engaged in class longer.
Schools also must accommodate students who legitimately need access to a device.
Smartwatches and other electronic devices also present challenges because they can provide some of the same communication capabilities as cell phones.
Restricting phones at school does not eliminate the need for students to learn how to manage technology in their future workplaces and personal lives.
As Ohio enters its first full school year under the statewide restrictions, education experts say districts will have to balance the benefits of reducing distractions with issues involving student needs, enforcement, emergencies and responsible technology use.
Last Updated on August 27, 2026 by AVC News
