Escambia superintendent views K-8 cell phone ban as way to improve behavior, mental health

by Hailey Samples

Students across Florida could soon have less access to technology in schools.

In 2023, Florida became the first state to restrict cell phone access during instructional time only. Last week, lawmakers approved a new bill prohibiting cell phone use for elementary and middle schoolers during school hours.

The bill is on its way to Gov. Ron DeSantis to be signed. If the governor moves forward with the bill, it would go into effect starting July 1. School districts in Northwest Florida are already planning for the new law to go into effect.

Cell phone use in schools is a growing concern for educators. Florida lawmakers are proposing a new solution, eliminating wireless devices completely during school hours.

"We'll see how it interacts with our 36,152 students," said Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent Keith Leonard.

Current laws ban the use of wireless devices only during instructional time. Leonard says it's not enough.

"From time to time, we do end up with a student that does not abide by that law," Leonard said.

On Friday night, legislators approved an updated version of the bill, banning cell phone use when school is in session. This new ban would only apply to elementary and middle schools in the state.

In March, every public school in Escambia County participated in a national day of unplugging. Leonard tells WEAR News it was completely optional, giving students a glimpse into a full day of school without phones.

"I think there were a couple of students who might have has some withdrawals from their social media page," Leonard said. "But it just tells you what hold social media and cell phone use does have on our teens today."

Leonard says this ban will improve social behavior and mental health for students. He says the biggest hurdle is getting parents on board.

“It’ll be real important that we’ve communicated not just to our student, but also to their parents what's going to be the correct way to communicate with each other moving forward," Leonard said.

WEAR News asked you on Facebook for your thoughts on the ban. The reactions are mixed.

One person says, "the day the school starts paying my phone bill is the day they can tell my kid where to put his phone."

Another says, "sure, this would be a great idea if schools were safe."

Other parents tell WEAR News they fully support the ban.

"I think it should have been done a long time ago," said parent Roger Lough.

"They should be learning and cell phones shouldn't be used," said parent Tracey Thomas-Doyle. "I know they may need to have them for emergencies, but they can put them in their backpacks."

Leonard tells WEAR News he does not anticipate phones being banned from physically being on campus. He says he is waiting for more instruction from the Department of Education to decide exactly what the ban will look like for the district.

Okaloosa County School District sent WEAR News the following statement:

The Okaloosa County School District is aware of House Bill 1105 and its expected signing into law. As always, we are committed to ensuring that our policies align with state legislation while maintaining a safe and focused learning environment for all students.

We are currently reviewing the provisions of HB 1105, including the mandated restrictions on cell phone use across grade levels. While our existing policy already includes clear expectations regarding wireless communication devices, we recognize that this new legislation may necessitate additional measures to support compliance—particularly at the middle and high school levels.

At this time, no final decision has been made regarding implementation. We are actively assessing potential impacts, operational considerations, and the best path forward to support our schools. If adopted, our goal would be to ensure readiness by the start of the fall semester.

Florida high schools won't see any new restrictions. Instead, there will be a pilot program for six districts in the state, testing how a ban on cell phones would work at the high school level. There's been no word yet on which districts will be selected.