COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As part of the state budget passed over the summer, school districts across Ohio must ban the use of cellphones and smart devices in schools statewide on Jan. 1.
Students have a few days of school left before they go on winter break, and when they come back in 2026, the new phone ban will officially be state law.
Many districts in central Ohio have already implemented the ban. Columbus Board of Education President Michael Cole said the district has had a strict phone policy since 2015.
“This shift to what’s going to happen with kids not being able to use their phones shouldn’t even be a worry or concern because we’ve already had this policy on the books,” Cole said.
This fall, the board updated its policy to completely adhere to state law. Students will not be allowed to use their cellphones or any other smart device during the school day. This includes during instruction, in the hallways between classes, and at lunch.
“The district has informed families and the community and students leading up to Jan. 1 is that this is it, and the response that we’ve gotten largely is positive,” Cole said. “They’re excited to see that this is forthcoming in a way that can actually hopefully level culture and climate in the school building and refocus student attention on coursework.”
South Western City Schools implemented the total ban on phones at the beginning of this school year. Central Crossing High School principal Steve Fairs said students and staff have had the semester to work out any kinks.
“We actually went so far that we had our technology department install a new phone, an extra phone, down the office because we had kids at the beginning of school year saying, you know, ‘I’m not supposed to be on my phone, but I need to call my mom,’” Fairs said.
He said Central Crossing teachers have noticed students are more involved during class and more social during lunch and in the hallways.
For both Columbus and South Western schools, they’ll be making sure students, staff and parents know this statewide ban is being enforced after winter break.
“Consistency for students and staff and families throughout the school year is always a positive and helps with some of those situations,” Fairs said.
Students can still bring their phones to school, but they need to be turned off and put away. There are also exceptions to the ban, including if students need them for medical purposes or during an emergency.