Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signs statewide school cell phone ban

Governor Josh Shapiro has signed Senate Bill 1014 into law, mandating that Pennsylvania schools restrict student cell phone use throughout the school day. The legislation requires all public, private, charter, and cyber charter schools to adopt policies prohibiting the possession and use of personal mobile devices during instructional time, lunch periods, recess, and between classes.

Implementation of these restrictions must be completed by the start of the 2027-28 academic year. While the law requires schools to establish policies, it does not mandate physical confiscation; individual institutions will determine their own enforcement methods.

Shapiro cited concerns regarding mental health, academic performance, and social development as primary drivers for the law. He noted that excessive screen time and addictive algorithms can prevent students from focusing on studies and building interpersonal relationships. The move makes Pennsylvania the 27th state to implement such a statewide restriction.