Dothan, Ala. — In a move aimed at reducing distractions and improving focus in classrooms, the Alabama Senate voted Wednesday to pass a bill that would ban cellphone use in K-12 public schools. The legislation, which passed with a 30-2 vote, mandates that students turn off their phones and store them in lockers, cars, or similar secure locations during the school day.
The bill, which is now awaiting approval from Governor Kay Ivey, follows a growing national trend of restricting cellphone use in schools. Governor Ivey had previously expressed support for such a measure in her State of the State address earlier this year, urging lawmakers to pass the ban.
The legislation is seen as a response to concerns that smartphones are contributing to distractions in the classroom and negatively impacting students’ mental health due to excessive screen time and social media use. Republican Senator Donnie Chesteen, who championed the bill, cited successful implementation of similar measures in other school systems. “In the school systems where this has been implemented, it has worked,” Chesteen stated during the debate.
While many schools in Alabama already have policies restricting cellphone use, the new law will require all public K-12 schools in the state to enforce a ban. Schools will have the discretion to determine how best to store the devices, but they must ensure phones are not accessible during instructional hours.
The bill aligns Alabama with a growing number of states—such as Arkansas, California, Florida, and Virginia—that have either banned or restricted student cellphone use in an effort to foster better learning environments. The push has been fueled by concerns over the role of phones in student distractions, as well as rising concerns about the mental health impacts of excessive screen time and social media exposure.
Senator Chris Elliott, a Republican from Daphne, attempted to amend the bill to create an exemption for students to use their phones for communication with parents. However, his proposal was rejected by the Senate.
As the bill moves to Governor Ivey’s desk, Alabama could soon become one of the latest states to enforce a statewide ban on cellphone use in schools. If signed into law, the legislation is likely to spark further debate on the balance between student autonomy and the need for structured, distraction-free learning environments.
The growing trend of limiting cellphone use in schools reflects an increasing awareness of how technology affects student focus, behavior, and overall well-being. As more states take similar steps, the national conversation on the role of digital devices in education continues to evolve.
