Kansas lawmakers passed the “Bell to Bell, No Cell” bill on Tuesday, which prohibits student cell phone usage during school hours and bans teachers from messaging students on social media. 

In an effort to reestablish classroom concentration, the bill requires school districts to have policies preventing student cell phone use along with other personal communication devices during all school hours including recess, lunch and passing periods. 

“Last Summer I had the chance to hear Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, speak about the impact smartphones and online overexposure are having on kids,” House Speaker Daniel Hawkins said in his response to the bill’s passage. “Two things were very clear: cell phones in schools are creating real barriers to learning and worsening mental health issues, and states across the country are already taking action while Kansas has been lagging behind.” 

The Bell to Bell, No Cell guidelines apply to all students unless a phone is needed for an individual’s specialized education program, or is deemed medically necessary by a doctor. Students can still contact their parents using designated school phones.

“This bill helps put education back at the center of the classroom,” House Majority Leader Chris Croft said. “Constant cell phone use has become a major distraction for students and a challenge for teachers trying to keep kids focused.

“By establishing clear expectations around phone use during the school day, we can reduce unnecessary distractions, improve student engagement, reduce anxiety around social media, and give educators the environment they need to do what they do best,” Croft said. 

The law also forbids teachers from messaging students through social media platforms such as Instagram, X, Facebook or TikTok. 

Each school district and accredited nonpublic school must adopt the policy and submit a certification proving its implementation to the Kansas State Board of Education by Sept. 1. 

“Today’s vote is a major step in the right direction,” Hawkins said. “A ‘bell to bell, no cell’ policy helps ensure classrooms are places for learning and interaction, not distractions. It’s about helping students stay focused on instruction, their classmates, and the work in front of them.”

“In Kansas classrooms, learning comes first,” Croft declared.

The bill now heads to Democrat Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk.