Missouri Legislature sends bill banning cellphones in classrooms to governor

Cellphones may be banned in Missouri districts throughout the whole school day if Gov. Mike Kehoe signs legislation passed by the state Legislature May 13.

While the bill initially limited the ban to instructional time, lawmakers eventually chose to include recesses and lunch, according to the Missouri Independent. 

Fifty-three percent of school leaders believe cellphone use has hurt students’ academic performance, the National Center for Education Statistics concluded in a press release. 

More than two-thirds of those surveyed also reported a negative impact on students’ mental health and attention span, according to the center.

“The statistics really do hold that if we do the (full day), bell to bell, that’s going to have the biggest turnaround,” said state Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, D-Columbia.

‘Space to learn and grow’ 

The legislation mirrors North Dakota’s recent decision to keep cellphones away from students, which public-school leaders celebrated as a step to reduce “overwhelming” mental health challenges. 

“This law gives students the gift of attention, connection, and presence,” said North Dakota Superintendent Kirsten Baesler. “We are removing the constant pull of comparison and distraction and replacing it with space to learn and grow.” 

North Dakota required all districts to silence and store devices in lockable pouches, lockers or other locations. 

However, Missouri’s legislation allows school boards to choose whether to allow devices to remain in student backpacks or stay within other designated areas.

Both North Dakota and Missouri lawmakers made exceptions for students with disabilities, who would need electronic monitoring devices for medical purposes. 

Since 2023, an increasing number of school districts and states have been restricting cellphones over concerns with student learning and development. 

“Kids spend so much time on social media and using their smartphones that it’s taking a toll on them mentally, emotionally and academically,” said former Pennsylvania Sen. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster. 

During his time in the state senate, Aument had sponsored a program to provide $100,000 in grants for storing cellphones in locking bags. 

“Students deserve to learn without a constant distraction in their pockets,” he said.