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Bill

S 323

An Act providing for phone free schools

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brendan Crighton and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts bill restricts student smartphone access during school days to reduce distractions and improve classroom focus, affecting academic environments statewide.

Accompanied a new draft, see S2549
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Bill Summary · S 323

Legislative bill overview

S 323 proposes to establish "phone free schools" in Massachusetts, restricting student access to personal mobile devices during the school day. The bill aims to reduce classroom distractions and improve academic focus, though specific enforcement mechanisms and exemptions are not detailed in the available action summaries.

Why is this important

Phone restrictions in schools affect millions of Massachusetts students and touch on debates about childhood development, mental health, and academic performance. The policy also raises questions about equitable implementation across different school districts and socioeconomic backgrounds, where phone access for safety or medical needs may vary.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement burden: Schools must decide how to collect, store, and return phones without liability concerns or resource strain on staff
  • Equity and access: Students with medical conditions (diabetes monitors, hearing aids via phone) or safety needs (low-income students relying on phones for parent contact) may face unintended hardship
  • Academic research gaps: Evidence on whether phone bans improve learning outcomes versus alternative interventions remains mixed and contested among educators

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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