Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, Rep. Douglas Welton and The Policy Project are joining forces to introduce legislation during the 2025 General Session that would prohibit students from using cellphones during school hours unless a district opts to allow phone use.
This proposed legislation places Utah at the forefront of states taking decisive action to reduce the harmful effects of cellphone use on students’ mental health and classroom learning. It reflects a growing recognition of the need to balance technology use with the well-being and academic success of students.
“With the rise of social media and smartphone use, we’ve seen a significant impact on both the mental health of our students and the quality of their classroom experiences,” said Sen. Fillmore. “The goal of this legislation is to empower school districts, teachers and students to create a more focused and productive learning environment. Through this effort, teachers can focus more on teaching and less on being the cellphone police.”
Currently, school districts have the authority to set their own cellphone policies, with the default allowing phone use. This bill maintains district autonomy while shifting the baseline, requiring districts to actively choose to permit cellphone use rather than permitting it by default.
“By minimizing distractions, we can foster deeper engagement with classroom activities and enhance overall academic performance,” said Rep. Welton. “I look forward to seeing how districts will create a more focused and productive learning environment for our students and am optimistic about the positive impact this will have on our students”
Utah has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to prioritizing the well-being of its youth. This measure will empower students to engage more meaningfully with their education and peers, addressing the disconnect that has become increasingly common.
“Smartphones have become a major distraction in Utah schools—disrupting classroom environments, decreasing academic performance, and contributing to bullying and social isolation,” Emily Bell McCormick, President of The Policy Project said. “Parents and families need support, students need guidance and teachers need assistance responding to this growing epidemic. We must take collective action to reset the norm around smartphones in schools.”
Experts have weighed in, and the evidence is becoming increasingly clear: cellphones in schools come at the detriment of students’ mental health and educational outcomes. Teens who spend more than 3 hours per day on social media face double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes and 88% of Utah parents believe social media has a detrimental impact on children and youth. By flipping the default, this legislation will not only empower school districts and teachers but also empower students to engage more effectively in the classroom.
View the draft bill below.
Tags: Cellphone Use in Schools, Sen. Fillmore