Kansas students will have to put away their phones for the full school day as a contentious new statewide policy takes effect.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly signed the measure into law in March, but the start of the new academic year marks its first real test in classrooms.
Under the rule, K-12 students must turn in their devices, which are stored in lockers and can only be retrieved at the end of the day with a ticket.
The ban extends beyond cellphones to include other personal electronic devices, including smartwatches, headphones and tablets.
‘In our rapidly changing world, technology dominates our lives, and that’s why it’s essential that we reduce distractions in the classroom,’ said Governor Kelly in March. ‘We must have one uniform standard across the state to tackle this issue and set our students up for success.’
Kelly said the state is using a ‘commonsense approach’ to confront concerns about how smartphones and social media affect children’s academic performance.
The law includes limited exceptions, including for students who need devices as part of their educational programs or who have a doctor-approved medical necessity.
Students will still be able to reach a parent or guardian by using a school phone.
Students in Kansas are being forced to lock their phones away for the entire school day under a controversial new policy
Some schools are locking children’s devices away in cases such as this one pictured at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas
The law also forbids school employees from using social media to communicate with students for school purposes, as well as prohibiting the use of social media for assignments or extracurricular activities.
Many applauded the new policy, noting that the devices are an unhealthy distraction hindering learning.
‘I’m totally for this! There is no reason any child or teenager needs a mobile phone at school,’ wrote one user on X.
‘The temptation of having it ‘put away’ during class and fishing it out between classes or sneaking it off to the restrooms is very high.’
‘They are at school to learn. Not scroll TikTok. And I know parents will argue ‘how will I reach my kid in an emergency?’ All schools have phones. In a true ’emergency’ they can find your child and take care of the situation.’
‘I can’t imagine trying to teach kids when they have their phones with them,’ another added.
‘They’re already easily distracted, and having their phones with them would be ridiculously distracting. Why hasn’t this been done already?’
‘Honestly, that sounds like a tough transition for them, but it might actually help with focus if they aren’t constantly checking notifications all day,’ a third wrote.
Other forms of personal electronic devices, such as smart watches, headphones and tablets are forbidden under the policy
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a law banning all personal devices during the school day that will be in effect for the first time this school year (Kelly pictured in January 2025)
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However, some expressed concern that it infringes on students’ rights and wondered how they would communicate during emergency situations.
‘Why don’t we teach them how to use phones responsibly like an “adult” instead of babying them and sending them out into the workforce still acting like kids,’ one user said.
‘This is why so many 20-year-olds spend half of every work hour in the toilets. Banning phones doesn’t teach them anything.’
‘All students should, as a right, keep possession of their phones,’ another said. ‘They can be required to have them in airplane mode while in the classroom. They are needed in case of emergency.’
‘The first time there’s an emergency at the school and my kid can’t call me, they will never get rid of me,’ a third added.
Nearly 40 states and the District of Columbia require school districts to restrict or ban students’ use of cellphones in schools, according to Education Week.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Governor Laura Kelly’s office for comment.
