On July 1st, 2025, the state of Florida’s “No Phone” policy went into full effect in every school. The statewide law is meant to keep students focused in class, bring friends closer together socially, and raise overall academic performance

      When ideating the law to ban phones, the state focused on eliminating distractions for students during learning time. According to FMN News, “Data continues to show that eliminating the cell phone distraction, not only in the classroom as Florida has in place now, but throughout the entire school day produces better outcomes – both from a school climate perspective as well as academic. This is important legislation that will keep the Sunshine State moving forward”. Simply put, reports show that without phones hindering student learning throughout the school day, students produce more positive results. Teachers themselves even witness this effect taking place in their own classrooms. According to MSN News, Jen Kaelin, a teacher at Jose Marti Mast Academy, claims, "Not having it there in front of them has definitely allowed for them to be more focused in the class, they’re being more responsive, they’re being more attentive, you’ve got those fewer distractions,” This explains that since the phone ban, students have been less conflicted in doing their work and have gotten on task.

      In addition, the state of Florida has also accomplished an increase in social activity among students with this phone law. As reported by MSN, Ladonna Van Buren, a teacher at Cypress Bay High School, states, “Kids are talking to each other more because they don’t have phones, right, they’re talking to the person next to them, they’re doing group work, engaging in discussion, it’s a good thing,". Teachers are not the only ones who notice this impact, but guidance counselors too. Mrs. Spitaliere, a guidance counselor at Saint Cloud High School, asserts “What I have noticed is there’s a lot more personal interactions between students without your cell phones and so that’s nice. Students aren’t buried in their phones.” From teachers to guidance counselors, it is evident that this rule has been successful in its intentions to cease distractions and keep students on task.

      Since the change, the overall academic performance of students has thrived as well. According to Tallahassee Reports, “Banning mobile phones at school leads to an increase in student performance. Our results suggest that after schools banned mobile phones, test scores of students aged 16 increased by 6.4% of a standard deviation.” This documented evidence is proof of the growth in student's grades. Another example of this, comes from Jordan Prophete, a student at St. Cloud high school, he states, “I have seen an improvement in my grades, even though I wish I could still use my phone, I can’t lie it has helped me focus in my classes.” Students themselves can admit that this law has had the positive effect it was looking for, even if they disagree with not being allowed to use their cell phones.

      The benefits of this cell phone ban are not just based on opinions, the studies show that putting this cell phone ban into effect was effective in many categories from being less distracted in class, being more socially active among other students, and producing better report cards for students