Updated Cell Phone Policy to Take Effect for 2025-2026 School Year

As part of Groveport Madison Schools’ ongoing commitment to student well-being, safety, and academic success, we are updating how we implement our No Cell Phone Policy during the school day, beginning in the 2025–2026 school year.

This districtwide update reflects not only the Board of Education’s guidelines but also thoughtful input from teachers, families, students, and community leaders. Conversations with our Parent and Student Advisory Committees, the District Safety Committee, and the Board of Education have all helped shape a policy that prioritizes student success and supports a more focused school environment.

Why the Change?

In alignment with Ohio Senate Bill 158, which requires public schools to limit student cell phone use during instructional hours for grades K–12, our policy has been revised to ensure compliance and address growing concerns within our community.

Over the past several years, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in distractions, conflicts, and disciplinary issues tied to phone use during school hours, particularly those related to social media and texting. Research also shows that excessive screen time can negatively impact mental health, attention span, and classroom engagement.

What’s Changing?

Starting in the 2025–2026 school year:

• All personal electronic devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, personal laptops, wireless headphones, and any internet-connected device, must be turned off and kept out of sight during the school day.
• Exceptions will only be made when device use is explicitly permitted by school staff for educational purposes or in the event of an emergency.

Our Goal

By creating clear and consistent boundaries around personal device use, we aim to:

• Minimize classroom distractions and student conflicts
• Foster in-person engagement and communication
• Support student safety, focus, and mental well-being
• Create a learning environment where every student can thrive

We understand that adjusting to this change will take time and teamwork. We appreciate your partnership as we move forward with a policy that puts student success first.

For questions or more information, please contact your school’s main office.

We understand that changes to cell phone policies can spark important conversations at home. To support families in navigating this shift, we’ve gathered a few helpful resources that highlight how screen time and social media use can impact students’ focus, mental health, and academic success. These additional resources offer insight into why limiting device use during the school day can lead to a more positive and productive learning environment.

APA Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence.pdf

Article Phones and Social Media Research.pdf

 

 

Need Additional Resources?

Kids Mental Health Foundation - Resources for Technology and Social Media
https://www.kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org/mental-health-resources/technology-and-social-media

American Psychology Association - Resources for Social Media and the Internet 

https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet

“Potential risks of content, features, and functions: The science of how social media affects youth.” https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/youth-social-media-2024

American Academy of Pediatrics

“Your Child’s First Phone: Are They Ready?” https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/cell-phones-whats-the-right-age-to-start.aspx

PBS - Resources for Screen Time

https://www.pbs.org/parents/screen-time

CAP4Kids - Resources for Internet Safety

https://www.cap4kids.org/columbus/safety-resources/internet-safety/