Bill would limit cell phone use in classrooms

The measure would prohibit most student cell phone use in class. Illinois is one of only nine states with no state law governing cell phone use in schools.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and at least some Illinois lawmakers want to ban most student cell phone use in classrooms.

In his recent State of the State address, Pritzker voiced his support for Senate Bill 2427, which would require school boards to prohibit most student cell phone use during instructional periods.

The bill also would mandate that school districts help schools find ways to securely store phones during instructional hours.

SB 2427 has 18 sponsors in the state Senate and 13 in the House.

Research shows benefits to limiting cell-phone use in schools, but implementation and enforcement can bring concerns.

41 states have laws governing cell phone use in public schools

Policies around cell phone use in public schools have become common: 41 states govern it in some way. Of those, 32 ban or limit cell phones use in the classroom.

How effective are cell phone policies?

Parents and school officials believe cell phones are a distraction. Research shows over 95% of teenagers have access to phones, and 46% say they are online “almost constantly.” Heavy cell phone and social media use has been tied to rising levels of anxiety and depression in students.

Schools with cell phone bans have reported fewer behavioral problems, reduced bullying, and improved classroom engagement, according to a recent study by Paragon Health Institute. Studies in the United Kingdom have found that school cell phone limits can improve standardized test scores. In Florida, a separate study of one large district found a score increase of 2 to 3 percentile points on average after two years of prohibiting cell phone use in classrooms.

However, implementing cell phone bans can bring other challenges. The Florida study found higher levels of behavioral problems and suspensions, mostly affecting Black and male middle and high school students. The increase in suspensions came near the beginning of the ban. Also, some researchers believe the decision to limit cell phone use should be left to school boards, with input from parents.

Pritzker is working to revive the same cell phone bill lawmakers left to die last session. With a renewed push, Illinois may soon join the majority of states that ban or restrict student cell phone use in public schools.