Wake County Pushes to Curb Cellphone Use in Classrooms as Statewide Legislation Gains Steam
Efforts align closely with two bills making their way through the North Carolina General Assembly.
Prior Holly Springs Update coverage:
(Jan. 8th) Wake County School Board Weighs New Cell Phone Policy for Classrooms
(Feb. 7th) New NC Senate Bill Seeks to Prohibit Cellphone Use in Classrooms
Holly Springs, NC, Mar. 28, 2025 — Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) is taking a proactive stance on student cellphone use, moving toward a district-wide policy that would require students to silence or turn off phones during the school day, with exceptions for emergencies or instructional purposes. The proposal comes as part of a broader conversation happening across North Carolina and beyond about the role of personal devices in education.
Currently, WCPSS leaves cellphone policy decisions to individual schools, creating a patchwork of rules. Under the new plan, the district would implement a consistent standard, giving principals some flexibility in enforcement. “This is about creating a focused learning environment,” said school board members during recent policy discussions. The shift reflects growing concerns about classroom distractions, cyberbullying, and the impact of constant screen time on mental health.
State Lawmakers Target Cellphones with Two Major Bills
WCPSS’s efforts align closely with two bills making their way through the North Carolina General Assembly:
House Bill 87 (HB 87), passed by the House on March 25, would require every public school district to adopt a policy eliminating or significantly restricting student cellphone use during instructional time. It allows for local flexibility in how that’s carried out.
Senate Bill 55 (SB 55), approved by the Senate on March 4, is more prescriptive. It bans students from using or even having cellphones turned on during class unless permitted for a specific learning activity.
To become law, the bills must pass both chambers in matching form. Lawmakers may reconcile differences through amendments or a conference committee. Governor Josh Stein has signaled support, stating in his March State of the State address, “Classrooms should be cellphone-free zones.” His comments strongly suggest he would sign either bill if it reaches his desk.
Other NC Districts and States Already Enforcing Restrictions
Wake County is not alone. Of North Carolina’s 115 school districts, at least 77 already have some form of cellphone policy. For example, Union County Public Schools requires phones to be off and away during instruction, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has enforced school-specific bans that vary by level and building.
At least 19 states have either passed laws or issued guidance restricting cellphone use in schools. Florida, for instance, enacted a law in 2023 requiring phones to be put away during instructional time and mandating that school Wi-Fi block access to social media. Indiana followed suit in 2024 with a similar classroom ban. California, Minnesota, and Ohio have recently introduced or passed legislation to curb device-related distractions in schools.
A National Shift Toward Focused Classrooms
Supporters of these policies point to research linking reduced cellphone use with better academic performance, fewer discipline issues, and improved student mental health. Critics caution about overreach and emphasize the importance of access for safety and parent communication.
Still, the tide is turning toward more structured phone-free environments. Whether through local school board action or new state law, North Carolina appears poised to join a growing list of states rethinking how—and when—students use technology in school.