Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is joining a legion of governors across the country who are putting their foot down on cell phones in schools.
“It’s time for us to get distractions out of the classroom and create a healthier environment in our schools,” Shapiro said in a post on X.
According to a Philadelphia Inquirer report, Shapiro urged state lawmakers to pass a bill that would require schools to ban the use of cell phones during the school day, “from the time they start class until the time they leave for home.”
If enacted, Pennsylvania would join 31 states with restrictions on phone use, including 23 with “bell-to-bell” bans that prohibit phone use for the entire school day, according to Education Week.
According to the Inquirer, Pennsylvania currently lets schools across the Commonwealth set their own cell phone policies. Consequently, school districts have used various approaches. In 2024, Pennsylvania implemented a pilot program that allowed schools to access funding for lockable pouches, similar to hanging shoe organizers, for students to store their phones during the day, but few districts submitted funding requests.
In Pennsylvania, the state’s largest teachers’ union announced its support of the cell phone ban. The Senate Education Committee unanimously approved legislation in December 2025 that would require school districts to adopt bell-to-bell cell phone policies. The bill, however, would grant exceptions for students under specific circumstances. Exceptions would be allowed for medical needs, students with an individualized education program, translation or English language learning, and other special circumstances.
In the Philadelphia area, groups of parents have banded together against cell phone use. They’ve circulated pledges, such as a commitment not to give children phones before eighth grade. A group called Delco Unplugged has also called for cell phone bans in school districts, urging parents not to give children access to phones before high school.
Kristen Beddard, a parent from the Pittsburgh suburb of Sewickley and leader in the PA Unplugged coalition, believes it’s time for Pennsylvania to take a stand. “Pennsylvania isn’t a pioneer on the issue,” Beddard said to the Inquirer. “We need to get with the program.”
Opponents, however, argue that bans alone won’t change behavior and advocate teaching responsible technology use and self-regulation of phone use as alternatives.