A bipartisan effort in the U.S. Senate aims to assess the effects of smartphone use in classrooms as multiple states move to restrict the devices in schools.
Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) introduced the Focus on Learning Act, which would direct the U.S. Surgeon General to conduct a study on how smartphone usage affects students’ mental health, academic performance, and educational outcomes in K-12 classrooms.
The initiative follows Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order implementing “cellphone-free education” in the state, which took effect on Jan. 1. The movement has gained traction nationwide, with leaders across party lines supporting restrictions on smartphones in schools.
Currently, eight states—California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia—have enacted statewide bans or restrictions on mobile devices in schools. Additionally, 15 states have proposed legislation, while eight others are reviewing policy recommendations or testing pilot programs, according to KFF.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has also expressed interest in similar policies.
Kaine emphasized the importance of evaluating how smartphone use influences students’ well-being and learning environments.
“We need to do more to ensure students can excel in the classroom, and part of this means digging into how cellphone use in schools is impacting students’ mental health and their ability to learn and form relationships with their peers,” Kaine stated.
The Focus on Learning Act proposes a $5 million annual budget over five years to fund a pilot program. Participating schools would need to implement an emergency communication system for teachers, administrators, and local responders. The bill also includes exemptions for students with disabilities, medical conditions, or English language translation needs.
Findings from the study would be reported to Congress and made publicly available.
The proposal comes amid growing concerns over student performance and mental health. Multiple studies indicate that learning scores have not recovered since the pandemic. Additionally, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights a 167% increase in suicide rates among females and a 91% increase among males since 2010, based on data from 2019-2021.
As momentum builds for limiting smartphone use in schools, lawmakers from both parties are finding common ground on addressing concerns over student distractions, mental health struggles, and declining academic achievement.
