Montgomery, AL – Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed legislation prohibiting students from using smartphones and other wireless devices in the state’s public schools. The FOCUS Act, aimed at reducing classroom distractions, was signed into law last week during a ceremony in the governor’s office attended by middle school students.
“Smart phones have beneficial roles when used in proper settings. However, these often-disruptive devices have no place in our classrooms during the school day except for educational purposes or during an emergency,” Governor Ivey stated at the signing. “The FOCUS Act will enable students to ‘focus’ on learning while in school rather than on their phones.”
The legislation, sponsored by Representative Leigh Hulsey, requires local school boards to develop policies governing student use of cell phones and other wireless devices in schools. Rep. Hulsey emphasized that the law would “limit distractions and provide an avenue for every student in our state to get the absolute most out of their day at school.”
Beyond restricting device usage, the FOCUS Act includes provisions requiring schools to implement internet safety policies for school-owned devices. The law also mandates that the Alabama State Department of Education provide social media safety training for all students before they enter eighth grade.
Senator Donnie Chesteen, who supported the legislation, noted that by “restricting the use of cell phones during instructional time, students will perform better, stay more engaged and enjoy stronger classroom communities.”
Pike Road Junior High School, which had already implemented a cell phone policy prior to the law’s passage, reported positive results. Principal Christy Wright shared that the school has seen improvements in both social dynamics and academic performance, with recent PSAT 8/9 scores showing a 95-point increase and results 39 points above the national average.
The new law represents part of a growing national trend of states and school districts implementing restrictions on mobile device use during school hours to improve student concentration and academic outcomes.
