ORLANDO, Fla. – As students return to school, a new Florida law targeting cellphone use in schools will take center stage.
In May, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill adding additional restrictions on cellphones in schools. In 2023, Florida passed its first bill restricting cellphones during instructional time but allowed school districts to tailor the policy to their needs.
Some districts, like Orange County, banned cellphones from bell to bell in all schools. Others allowed phone use during lunch and in between class periods.
The newly signed bill takes things further by banning cellphones from bell to bell for all elementary and middle school students statewide. For high schools, districts still have some discretion on when and how phones may be used.
[WATCH BELOW: Volusia County votes on limiting cellphone use in classrooms]
Orange County School Superintendent Dr. Maria Vasquez testified in Tallahassee this past January before a House education committee, sharing the benefits that Orange County has seen from its strict bell-to-bell cellphone ban in all schools.
“When I became superintendent, I did 44 town halls and midway through those town halls the No. 1 topic was discipline,” Vazquez told the committee. “I continued those town hall meetings last year and this year and cellphones have not come up.”
Timber Creek High School Principal Marc Wasko also testified about their experience implementing the policy.
“It was surprisingly and shockingly pretty easy to implement,” Wasko said.
On the first day of the phone ban, Wasko said he collected about 120 phones. By the second day, the number dropped to around 25, and currently, only about a dozen cellphones are collected on average daily.
Timber Creek has become a shining example of how the ban is helping students connect without their devices. Students now play spikeball and pickleball during lunch instead of using their phones.
“We’ve seen in the classroom, they’re more attentive,” Wasko said. “The teachers said that they’re actually able to have classroom conversations. Also, discipline has gone down because you don’t have those kids on social media seeing if someone is saying (something) about them or someone got the newest, greatest thing and is making fun of somebody else that might not have it.”
Supporting these observations, a recent Pew Research survey, which found that 72% of U.S. high school teachers say cell phone distraction is a major problem in classrooms.
Regarding what to expect this school year, Orange and Osceola counties will continue their ban from bell to bell, including high schools. Meanwhile, most other Florida counties plan to allow high school students phone use during lunch and passing periods.
The law includes exceptions for students with medical or personal needs that require a device.
News 6 asked every school district in Central Florida about their cellphone policy for the 2025-2026 school year and whether they’ve noticed any changes in behavior since the first cellphone bill went into effect in 2023 restricting cellphone usage during instructional time.
We heard back from each of them except Brevard County.
Here are the county-by-county responses:
Orange County
“The bill signed by the Governor brings in line statewide the policy that OCPS has had in place for the last two years. In fact, Dr. Vazquez and Timber Creek Principal Marc Wasko testified before the House Student Academic Success Subcommittee on January 15, 2025.”
Seminole County
“Our high school cellphone usage will remain unchanged. Students are to keep cellphones in backpacks or in a secured area per the teacher’s instructions. High school students may use their phones between classes, at lunch, and before or after school. They may use them in class if it is permitted by the teacher for instructional purposes.”
Marion County
“Marion County Public Schools will follow state law and NOT allow elementary and middle school students to use their phones at all during the instructional day starting in the 2025-26 school year. High school students CAN use their phones during lunchtime and in classrooms with teacher permission.
As for behavioral data, that might be tracked in referral histories but cellphone infractions are not something that cause us much grief so I would (say) little to no noticeable negative impact since the time you stated."
Osceola County
“Here is our Cellphone Policy for ALL students. We have had this in place for the last two years or so:
A student may possess a cellphone on Board property, on school transportation and at school activities, provided that during school hours, the cellphone is silenced and concealed and remains in the student’s bookbag or purse. Pursuant to Section 1006.07, Florida Statutes, “a student may not use a wireless communications device during instructional time, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes. A teacher shall designate an area for wireless communications devices during instructional time.” For purposes of this section, the designated area will be in the student’s backpack or purse, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes. Violations of the cellphone policy will be handled in accordance with the Code and may result in confiscation of said device. If the cellphone is used in a criminal act (such as sexting as outlined in Florida Statutes and the Code), the cellphone will be provided to law enforcement and the student may face criminal penalties. The use of wireless communication devices is always prohibited during the school day (from the first morning bell to dismissal) unless expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes. House Bill 379 lines 211-215 state, “a student may not use a wireless communications device during instructional time, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes.
A teacher shall designate an area for wireless communications devices during instructional time." Students in the School District of Osceola County will not be permitted to use wireless communication devices (cellphones) upon entry to school campus. Wireless communication devices include, but are not limited to, cellphones and/or auxiliary/ancillary devices such as watches and ear buds. Students may not receive discipline if they use their cellphone and/or ancillary device(s) to monitor a health condition that is documented through medical records provided to the school including, but not limited to, an IEP, a Section 504 Plan or a Health Plan. Teachers may permit student use of wireless connection devices for academic purposes specifically within the lesson plan that the district-issued device cannot accomplish. Students who use an application on their cellphone to monitor medical conditions may use their personal device to do so, as prescribed, with school administration notification and notated previously in FOCUS. It is understood that during school-wide emergencies (not drills), such as lockdowns, the cellphone policy will not be enforced."
Flagler County
“For the 2025-2026 school year, a new district-wide policy will be implemented prohibiting cellphone usage for elementary and middle school students. The existing policy prohibiting cellphone use during instructional time will continue to apply to high school students. However, high school students will be allowed to use their phones on campus before and after school, during passing periods, and at lunch.
Flagler Schools saw a significant decrease in discipline issues during the 2024-2025 school year. While we can’t definitively determine the full impact of the new cellphone restrictions on this improvement, we remain committed to prioritizing instruction during class time. We understand that any measure that limits distractions and supports student engagement directly enhances the learning experience."
Lake County
“The formal wording for our policy has not yet come to the School Board for a vote, but we have every intention of following the law, as we always do.”
Polk County
Polk County Public Schools responded to News 6 with their website’s information featuring a new section on the cellphone law:
When classes resume, we will need to work together to adjust to a new state law.
The Florida Legislature recently passed a new law that limits students’ access to cell phones and wireless communication devices during the school day. The goal of the new law is to help students focus on learning and reduce distractions.
Schools throughout Florida must follow the requirements of this new law, which went into effect July 1.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Students can be permitted to use cell phones and wireless communication devices in accordance with an Individual Educational Plan (IEP), 504 plan, or based on a doctor’s note.
We understand some students may adjust more quickly to this new law than others. However, the expectation is that this new law will be followed. At the start of the school year, PCPS staff will begin instructing students on these rules. If discipline is necessary, administrators will follow the PCPS Code of Student Conduct.
Volusia County
“Elementary and middle school students may not use a wireless communications device during the school day.
“High school students may not use a wireless communications device during instructional time, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes. Based on this language, use during lunch and passing periods, for example, is not prohibited.
“I’m waiting to hear back from someone on any observations in that time.”