Indiana Lawmakers Look to Tighten Cell Phone Rules in Schools Even Further

Indiana Lawmakers Look to Tighten Cell Phone Rules in Schools

If you have a student in a K to 12 school, your kids might be in for a rude awakening soon. Back in 2024, Indiana enacted a statewide cellphone restriction law that prohibits students from using phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming devices during instructional time, with exemptions for education, emergencies, health care needs, or disability related accommodations. Now, Senate Bill 78 is looking to tighten those restrictions even further.

What Senate Bill 78 Would Change

According to indianacapitalchronicle.com, Senate Bill 78, authored by committee chairman Sen. Jeff Raatz, R Richmond, would require public and charter schools to choose between two options.

Schools could adopt a “no device policy,” which would prohibit students from bringing devices to school at all. Or they could implement a “secure storage policy,” which allows students to bring phones but requires them to be stored securely throughout the day in a location students cannot access.

The bill also expands the definition of devices to include smart watches that connect to wireless or cellular service. Students who rely on phones for medical or disability related needs, such as diabetes monitoring, would be exempt.

How Cell Phones Are Currently Used in Indiana Schools

Under current law, students are allowed to use their phones before and after school, during lunch, and between classes. Some school districts have already chosen to restrict phone use during lunch or passing periods.

Supporters of SB 78 believe stricter policies will help reduce distractions and behavioral issues in schools.

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Schools Already Using Secure Storage Policies

Many Indiana school districts already use locked pouches as part of a secure storage policy they enacted on their own. In those cases, the cost of the pouches is covered by the school district. The cost is an estimated $25-30 per student for initial setup.

Hoosiers Largely Support Stricter Phone Policies

A new survey from education advocacy group Stand for Children shows strong support among Hoosiers for tougher cell phone rules in schools. More than 60 percent of the 600 respondents support a “phone away for the day” or "bell to bell" policy. That support crosses political party lines as lawmakers consider changes to the current law.

A Parent’s Perspective on Senate Bill 78

Personally, as a parent with a child in a public school, I do not support this bill. I want my child to be able to contact me during the day in an emergency. Lawmakers seem to be micromanaging every part of our lives, and honestly, I'm sick of it.

Having kids put their phones in their lockers during the day is fine. But spending time and money to manage locked pouches and punish the few who break the rules feels like a waste of both.

Agree or Disagree? Comment Here!