House Bill 250 is Set for July 2025

ZANESVILLE, OH –Social deprivation, sleep deprivation, bullying, and more. Youth mental health issues continue to rise rapidly in the United States. At least 1 in 5 children report mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorders, according to The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

House Bill 250 was signed by Governor Mike DeWine earlier this year, requiring Ohio schools to develop a plan regulating the use of cell phones during school hours. Schools must adopt their policies by July 1, 2025.

“Last year Governor Dewine and I advocated for a policy that said schools across the state should be aware of just how destructive smartphones are to the academic progress, how much they lead to disciplinary issues, fights, bullying, and other things that are bad for the school culture,” Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted said. “We wanted schools to know that cell phone bans really work. They help improve academic performance and avoid all of the cultural decay sort that’s occurring in schools around smartphones.”

Over 60% of Ohio schools have already implemented these policies. While in place, students have to leave their phones at home or store them in designated areas within the school.

This raises concerns for many parents across the state, as smartphones are a primary means of contacting their children. However, Lt. Governor Husted assures parents that there’s no need for alarm.

“Well, anybody can contact their child or can contact their parents usually through the main office at the school. That’s where most people encourage this to happen. It’s how it worked for basically all of human history up until the last 10 years,” Husted continued. “Look, when I was growing up moms and dads called the office, they sent notes, they did things like that. It was a fine way to communicate, but we don’t need constant communication as a distraction in the classroom. So, in case of emergency, there are still plenty of ways for you to reach your children or for your children to reach you.”

Limiting cell phone usage allows children to take a break from the virtual world and encourages them to engage with each other in real life. For more information on Ohio’s cell phone policies, please visit education.ohio.gov.