South Carolina is one step closer to banning cell phones in public schools after the state Department of Education approved a “model policy” on August 13 that would apply to all K-12 schools across the state.

With this measure, the board responded to an amendment to the state budget for 2024 that requires schools to prohibit the use of “personal electronic communication devices by students” during class.

According to the Model Directive as currently amended:

• All internet-connected electronic devices – cell phones, smart watches, tablets, gaming devices and more – must be kept in a locker, backpack or other location designated by the school from the first bell to the last. Schools can also ban the devices from campus.
• Students with certain illnesses and those who work as first responders are exempt.
• Students who violate the guidelines face “progressive consequences … and disciplinary action.”

In an accompanying background document, the SC Department of Education (SCDE) gave three reasons for this policy:

• Social science studies linking smartphone use to poor academic performance and mental health problems among teenagers;
• A survey of 9,000 teachers in South Carolina found strong support for a statewide ban.
• Recent efforts by other states to ban the technology.

SCDE spokesman Jason Raven said Statehouse report The department is “grateful” that the ban is moving forward.