Recently Florida Legislation passed a new law banning phones in the classrooms. The cell phone law is a new law that was passed by the Florida Legislation in early March.
Bill HB 379 was signed into law earlier this year by Ron Desantis. The law concerns all students from grades K –12. The law prohibits phone usage in schools k-12 during instructional periods. The bill took effect this July. The bill does allow students to have possession of their cellular devices while on school campuses. Although they are not allowed to use it during those instructional periods. The policy also states that school districts must provide internet that has certain website and platform restrictions. Social media is the main thing that is being blocked using school Wi-Fi. Some of the other important points in this law are that there must be a designated area for students to put their electronic devices and schools are being required to teach students about the way social media can affect behavior. There are a lot of new rules and guidelines that each school district, school, and teacher need to follow.
Although the phone law is going to be enforced throughout the state, each district and school are enforcing this policy in different ways. Some school districts are extremely strict about phones and will not allow them at any point during the school day while others will allow students to use them during select times.
Hillsborough County allows students to use cellular devices when instructed and during lunch. If electronic device is needed for special needs learning or is needed for health issues it will be permitted. Schools will have some flexibility when it comes to certain restrictions.
When asked many high school students shared the same ideas and viewpoints about the cell phone ban. Many when asked if they had teachers that were strict about this policy said yes. They included a few teachers that were the strictest about phones and all of them were core classes.
