The UNPLUGGED Act of 2025 aims to limit student mobile phone use in schools by requiring states to establish and enforce policies prohibiting personal electronic devices during school hours, with exceptions for medical needs, disabilities, and English learners, while also authorizing grants for secure storage.
Eugene Vindman
Representative
VA-7
The UNPLUGGED Act of 2025 aims to limit student access to personal electronic devices, like mobile phones, during school hours to improve focus and academic outcomes. It requires state educational agencies to establish and enforce policies prohibiting student phone possession in schools, with exceptions for medical needs, disabilities, English learners, or other situations deemed necessary by state and local authorities. The Act also allows for secure storage methods for phones and authorizes the Secretary of Education to establish a grant program to help states implement these policies.
School Phone Ban Proposed: UNPLUGGED Act Mandates Device Storage During Class Hours, Offers Grants
Congress is considering the UNPLUGGED Act, a bill that would require states to ensure public elementary and secondary schools prohibit students from having or using personal electronic devices – think smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets – during the instructional day. This rule would kick in starting the school year immediately following the Act's passage, aiming to reduce classroom distractions and address concerns outlined in the bill about focus, test scores, mental health, and cyberbullying.
Hanging Up on Classroom Calls
The core of the bill (Sec. 3) mandates that state education agencies establish and enforce policies keeping personal gadgets out of student hands during "school hours," a term defined by each state agency. This isn't just about silencing notifications; it means students generally can't possess these devices while class is in session. The bill specifically excludes school-issued laptops or tablets used for lessons under teacher supervision, provided access to things like social media and personal email is restricted during instructional time.
Exceptions and Lockboxes: The Details
Recognizing that a total ban isn't always practical, the Act carves out specific exceptions (Sec. 3). Students needing a device for medical reasons (certified by a doctor), those with disabilities requiring phone access documented in an IEP or 504 plan, or English learners needing a device for instruction (with documentation) would be exempt. States and local school districts could also identify other necessary situations. To handle the logistics, the bill suggests secure storage options like lockers, lock boxes, or signal-blocking pouches. It also authorizes the Secretary of Education to set up a grant program, allowing states to apply for federal funds to help purchase, implement, and maintain these storage systems and any related training.
The Bottom Line for Schools and Families
If passed, this Act sets a national minimum standard, meaning your state or local school district could still enact even stricter rules (Sec. 3). While the bill includes a 'sense of Congress' (Sec. 2) suggesting schools should help facilitate essential communication between parents and students (like forgotten lunches or pickup changes), the primary mechanism shifts away from direct student phone access during the school day. The practical reality involves schools potentially needing to invest in storage solutions – aided by possible federal grants – and establishing clear processes for managing the approved exceptions, while families adjust to less direct communication during instructional hours.