TAKE OUR POLL – A Bill To Limit Cell Phone Use In Classrooms

Minnesota Legislature Poised to Restrict Student Cell Phone Use in Schools

Your thoughts? Take our poll at the end of this story!

The Minnesota Legislature is advancing a significant change to school technology policy that would limit student access to personal mobile devices statewide beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.

House File 2516 (HF 2516), now under consideration and referred to the Senate Education Committee, would amend Minnesota Statutes to require every public school district and charter school to adopt a uniform cell phone policy that substantially curtails student use of cell phones and smart watches during the school day.
What the Proposed Law Would Do

Under the bill’s language:

• Students in kindergarten through eighth grade would be prohibited from using or possessing cell phones and smart watches on school grounds during the school day.
• High school students (grades 9–12) would be barred from using cell phones and smart watches in classrooms, though the devices could technically still be brought to school.
• Every district must adopt a compliant policy by the start of the 2026–2027 school year.

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Mandatory Exceptions Built In

The bill explicitly requires districts to allow exceptions for:

• Medically necessary devices, such as phones used for health monitoring;
• Devices included in a student’s individualized education program (IEP) or needed due to a disability;
• Other exceptions at the discretion of the school principal.

Beyond the Ban: Funding and Support

HF 2516 goes further than a simple restriction. It includes state appropriations to the Minnesota Department of Education for:

• A statewide public information campaign about the negative effects of screen overuse on children;
• Implementation grants for districts and charter schools to support policy rollout, technology, and training.

The campaign is designed to begin well before the policy takes effect and continue through a student’s academic journey, with the goal of preparing families and caregivers for the changes.

Why This Matters

Proponents of stronger restrictions argue that reducing device-related distractions can improve classroom focus, reduce cyberbullying and interruptions, and promote healthier social interactions among students. In other states and districts with similar measures, educators have observed reductions in discipline referrals and reported improvements in student engagement.

Next Steps in the Legislature

After introduction in the House and referral to the Senate Education Committee, HF 2516 now awaits committee action. If advanced, it could be included in the legislature’s broader education policy package this session.

What do you think

Take our poll - do you think cellphones and smartwatches are a distraction or a usefull addition to Minnesota Classrooms: