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On Monday, Gov. Josh Shapiro visited Lenape Middle School in Bucks County with legislators, educators, parents, and students to sign Senate Bill 1014 into law, requiring all Pennsylvania public, charter, cyber charter, and private schools to adopt policies prohibiting students from using personal cell phones throughout the school day, including during lunch, recess, and between classes.
While the use of technology in moderation can support learning, creativity, and communication, studies have shown excessive screen time can contribute to increased stress, disrupted sleep, and worsened academic performance. With the signing of this legislation, Pennsylvania joins more than two dozen other states in keeping devices out of students' hands from the start of the school day until dismissal to help them focus, engage with peers, and build social and emotional skills -- delivering on a priority the governor called for during his 2026-27 Budget Address.
"Technology is a powerful tool, but it's also a powerful distraction, and I've heard from parents and teachers who tell me about how our kids are too easily caught up by addictive algorithms that are preventing them from focusing on school, building relationships with other kids, and developing the social skills that help us all relate to each other in person," said Governor Shapiro. "I listened to those concerns from parents and teachers all across our Commonwealth and called on the General Assembly to put a bill on my desk to get cell phones out of our classrooms. Today, I'm delivering on that promise alongside my colleagues in the legislature, and the very educators, parents, and students who will see the impact of this bill firsthand -- because when we support our kids and invest in their futures, good things happen.”
Warren County School District has already put a policy regarding cell phones. It restricts use by those in kindergarten to grade eight while offering less restrictions for high school students.
In 2025, six new questions were added to the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) -- a biannual survey sent to 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th graders across the Commonwealth -- assessing students' access to devices and social media, their frequency of use, and parent or caregiver rules regarding screen time. PAYS found 24 percent of students reported spending four or more hours per school day on social media and 36.3 percent reported four or more hours of total non-school screen time.
The Governor has heard from parents and teachers across Pennsylvania who are concerned about their kids' dramatic increase in screentime -- especially during the school day. To address this growing issue head on, SB 1014 requires any Pennsylvania school district, intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, regional charter school, private school, approved private school, nonpublic school or cyber charter school to adopt a policy prohibiting the student possession and use of mobile devices throughout the entirety of the school day. Schools are required to adopt and implement that policy by the beginning of the 2027-28 school year.
Adopted policies must establish how a student's phone use will be restricted during the school day while on school property -- though the bill does not require the school to take physical possession of a device.
"As educators, teachers, and caregivers, we understand the challenges of raising and educating young people in a digital world. For years, schools have been striving to address the distraction that comes with student cell phones," said Dr. Joanna Wexler, Superintendent, Central Bucks School District. "Now, we will continue to work with students, staff, and parents to engage in conversations and dialogue around this issue, knowing our students and staff will rise to the occasion and meet these new expectations, continue to excel, achieve, and make us proud in countless ways."
The bill also outlines exceptions to the ban for documented medical needs, special education or disability accommodations, English language learning devices, and other pre-approved, limited instructional purposes. Schools will also be required to notify parents of emergency communication procedures, provide opportunities for public input, and publish their policies online.
"Like many other parents, I began noticing the very different childhood our kids are experiencing with the early and constant pull of technology and social media," said Kirstin McGowan, a parent advocate and co-leader of PA Unplugged. "Parents, teachers and health professionals have been asking for help and the passing of SB 1014 is a major first step in supporting our kids and teachers... Thank you, Governor Shapiro for calling for this state-wide standard, for signing SB 1014, and for helping make Pennsylvania a place where childhood happens in the real world first."
SB 1014 was sponsored by Senator Devlin Robinson and passed the House in a 141-62 vote and the Senate by a 47-3 vote -- showing broad, bipartisan support.
SB 1014 requires schools implement compliant policies by the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year.