A new Distraction Law could ban cell phone use for over 1 million Americans — here’s what to know

Smartphone ban in schools: More than one million Americans, most of them students, could soon see their daily phone habits change after a proposed “distraction law” moved closer to becoming law in Michigan with overwhelming bipartisan support, as per a report.

When would the Michigan school phone ban take effect

The legislation would ban smartphone use during instructional time for students in kindergarten through grade 12, starting in the 2026–2027 school year, as per The Sun report. If signed, the measure would apply statewide, affecting roughly a million students across Michigan’s public schools.

Smartphones banned during class under proposed Michigan law

The bill is designed to limit classroom distractions while still allowing students to stay connected when needed. While smartphones would be restricted during lessons, non-smartphones such as basic flip phones would still be permitted. Lawmakers said this provision was included to address concerns from Republicans about students in rural areas who may walk or bike long distances to school without bus service, as per The Sun report.


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Why basic flip phones would still be allowed in schools

Republican State Representative Mark Tisdel, who sponsored the bill, said that, “It was important that there be that kind of contact or availability,” as quoted by The Sun. He explained that basic phones strike a balance between safety and focus, saying, “And the beauty of a basic phone is you make a phone call or you send a text and then you put it away because there’s nothing else you can do with it,” as quoted by The Sun.

Emergency and medical exceptions included in phone restriction bill

The law would allow exceptions for emergencies, medical needs, and school-related purposes. While there are no explicit penalties for school districts that fail to comply, the state ultimately holds funding authority over public schools, giving it leverage to enforce the policy. School districts would also be free to adopt stricter rules if they choose.

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How the state could enforce the school phone ban

Tisdel said that, “If you start to enforce and get any parental pushback, it can be very easy to just say, ‘this is not a fight we want to pick today,’ and that’s why it’s necessary for a statewide standard,” as quoted by The Sun.

Support for the ban appears strong among educators. Tisdel pointed to a National Education Association poll showing that 90% of surveyed members support banning cell phones in schools.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer expected to sign the bill

The push follows earlier efforts by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who floated the idea of a cell phone ban in her State of the State address last year. A Democrat-backed bill later failed in the House, but Republicans and Democrats were able to reach agreement during the current legislative session. The new bill passed Thursday and will now be sent to Whitmer to sign into law.

Michigan literacy rankings add urgency to classroom reforms

Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall said he hopes the ban will help improve student outcomes, particularly literacy. Michigan currently ranks 44th in the nation for fourth-grade reading scores.

Hall said, “We want our kids focused on the classroom, focused on their teachers,” adding, “We want them learning. We don’t want them distracted playing games on their phones, you know, messaging each other. They need to put the phones away and be focused," as quoted by The Sun.

How Michigan compares to other states with school phone bans

Michigan would not be alone in restricting phone use at school. As per an Education Week report, 31 states and the District of Columbia already require schools to ban or limit student cell phone use in some form.

A 2025 study published by the JAMA Network also found that increased social media use among teens is associated with higher levels of depressive behavior, adding momentum to calls for tighter rules on phones in classrooms, as per The Sun report.

FAQs

Who would be affected by the new distraction law?

Students in kindergarten through grade 12 across Michigan’s public schools.

Are all cell phones banned under the law?

No. Smartphones would be restricted, but basic non-smartphones would still be allowed.