Beginning in January 2025, a new statewide policy in South Carolina will require all public schools to enforce a ban on student use of cell phones during the school day.

This policy, approved by the State Board of Education in September 2024, aims to address concerns about student well-being and academic performance.

Schools across the state, including in Lexington County, are already beginning to phase in the ban, which will apply to students in kindergarten through 12^th grade. Under the new policy, students will be required to keep their phones, along with other communication devices such as smartwatches or any device that can access the internet, Wi-Fi or cellular telephone signals, off and stored in their backpacks or lockers throughout the school day.

In 2021, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommended that schools limit cell phone usage in classrooms, stating that it can impact the mental health of students, especially with the impact of social media.

The Columbia University Irving Medical Center states that studies have shown a correlation between heavy social media use and depression, anxiety, loneliness and suicidal ideation. The medical center further emphasized the importance of screen time limitations to protect students’ mental well-being.

On July 3, 2024, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster asked the South Carolina Department of Education to enforce this ban in schools.

“We all know that cell phone use is distracting. Four years ago, I began including a proviso in my executive budgets prohibiting the use of cell phones or other personal electronic communication devices by students at school,” McMaster said. “Studies show that students’ anxiety and stress related to social media are reduced when cell phone access during school hours is prohibited. I commend the General Assembly for including this proviso in this year’s state budget.”

McMaster further states that prohibiting the usage of phones in the classroom will allow teachers to educate students will less distractions.

A study by Common Sense Media found that 97% of 11 through 17-year-olds report using their phones during the school day, with screen time ranging from a few minutes to over six hours.

In a study conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2023, 72% of high school teachers said that students being distracted by cellphones was a constant problem. 33% of middle school teachers and 6% of elementary school teachers agreed.

South Carolina isn’t the only state that has implemented policies that ban or restrict cellphones. Several other states including California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Virginia have already implemented similar bans or restrictions on cell phone use in schools. 

The cellphone ban in schools around South Carolina and other states hopes to create a better learning environment by minimizing distractions and improving student engagement.

Currently, all schools in Lexington County are actively working to implement the ban, and administrators are determining how to define the “school day” and are working to establish clear guidelines for potential consequences if students keep using their phones during prohibited times.