The U.S. Department of Education released new guidelines today recommending that all K-12 public schools implement strict limits on student cellphone use during instructional time. While the guidelines are non-binding, they come with $500 million in federal grant funding available to districts that adopt compliant policies by the 2026-2027 school year.
The guidelines recommend that elementary schools prohibit personal devices entirely during school hours, while middle and high schools should require phones to be stored in lockers or secure pouches during class. Exceptions are made for students with documented medical needs or individualized education programs that require device access.
The announcement follows growing research linking smartphone use in classrooms to decreased academic performance and rising mental health concerns among young people. A 2025 study from the National Institutes of Health found that students in phone-free classrooms scored an average of 6 percentile points higher on standardized tests. Teachers' unions broadly welcomed the guidelines, with the National Education Association calling them a common-sense step toward better learning environments.
