Arizona House Passes Bill to Limit Classroom Cellphone Distractions Amid Rising Concerns

The Arizona House of Representatives has passed HB2484, a bill sponsored by State Representative Beverly Pingerelli, aimed at reducing classroom distractions caused by excessive cellphone use and social media access during school hours. The legislation, which received strong bipartisan support, now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

The measure comes as research highlights the growing impact of in-school cellphone use on student learning. A Common Sense Media study found that 97% of students aged 11 to 17 use their phones during the school day, with usage ranging from under a minute to 6.5 hours, and a median daily use time of 43 minutes. Additionally, a Seattle Children’s Research Institute study revealed that adolescents spend an average of 1.5 hours per school day on their smartphones, with more than 25% of teens surpassing two hours of in-class phone use.

Educators have expressed concern over the impact on learning. A Pew Research Center survey reported that 72% of U.S. high school teachers consider student cellphone distractions a major classroom issue, while 30% of teachers find enforcing phone policies challenging.

“Teachers shouldn’t have to fight a losing battle against smartphones,” said Rep. Pingerelli. “This bill hands them the tools to keep kids locked in on what matters—building a future, not chasing likes.”

Under HB2484, school districts and charter schools must implement policies ensuring that mobile devices remain out of the way during instructional time, with exceptions for emergencies or teacher-approved academic activities.

Arizona follows in the footsteps of other states addressing classroom cellphone use. In 2024, Florida enacted legislation prohibiting student phone use during instructional time, while Indiana passed a law requiring schools to regulate student cellphone use during class hours.

The measure is part of ongoing Republican-led efforts to strengthen Arizona’s education system and ensure students remain focused on learning rather than digital distractions.