Bill
SB 1873
Illinois districts must ban personal devices in class and block social media on district networks by Aug 1, 2025, with health/IEP exceptions and approved educational use.
Status and procedural posture
- Introduced by Sen. Cristina Castro (filed 2/5/2025; received by Secretary of the Senate 3/4/2025).
- Passed the Senate (3rd reading, recorded votes 4/16/2025); received by the House and, as of 4/22/2025, referred to the House Public Education committee.
- Companion: HB 2623.
- If enacted, the bill states it is effective immediately.
Purpose
- Establish statewide requirements for public school districts to limit student use of personal wireless communication devices during instructional time and to block student access to social media via district-provided Internet. The intent is to promote a safe, productive learning environment and to address concerns about classroom disruption, student welfare, mental health, and safety.
Key provisions
- Deadline: No later than August 1, 2025, each school board must adopt a policy that:
- Prohibits student use of personal wireless communication devices during instructional time.
- Prevents student access to social media platforms over Internet access provided by the district.
- Definitions:
- "Wireless communication device" includes portable devices with voice/messaging/data capability (e.g., cell phones, tablets, laptops, gaming devices), but excludes devices provided, lent, or required by the district or teacher for educational use during instruction.
- "Social media platform" means online platforms/apps that allow public creation, sharing, and exchange of content (examples listed: Facebook, X, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok).
- Implementation methods: School boards may use any method they deem appropriate, including requiring storage of devices in lockers, specified areas, locked pouches, or designated collection points before classes.
- Exceptions (required):
- Medical conditions or physical/mental‑health needs.
- Health, family, or safety emergencies.
- Use specified in a student’s IEP or Section 504 plan.
- Exceptions (permitted):
- Educational uses approved by the board, district, administrator, or expressly by a teacher.
- Enforcement: School boards must impose or delegate appropriate discipline or sanctions for violations.
- Transparency and rulemaking:
- Districts must post the adopted policy publicly on their website.
- The State Board of Education may adopt rules necessary to administer the provisions.
Who is affected
- Public school districts, local school boards, administrators, teachers, and students in Illinois public elementary and secondary schools.
- Parents and guardians (communication arrangements may need adjustment).
- IT staff and districts’ network management (responsible for filtering/blocking social media on district networks).
- Potential budget/fiscal impact on districts for implementation, network controls, storage solutions, training, and enforcement.
Potential impacts and implementation considerations
- Operational changes: districts may need policies, communications, secure storage solutions, staff training, and technical measures to block social media on district Internet.
- Costs: potential expenses for network filtering/firewall upgrades, storage equipment, staff time, and administrative enforcement. The bill text includes a note that it “may require reimbursement” under the State Mandates Act, indicating possible fiscal implications for local units of government.
- Student equity and educational uses: districts must balance restrictions with legitimate educational technology uses and ensure accommodations for students with disabilities or medical needs.
- Discipline: districts will determine disciplinary frameworks consistent with the law and local policy.
Text references
- Amends Sections 10‑20.28 and 34‑18.14 of the School Code and adds new Sections 10‑20.28a and 34‑18.14a.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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