Nebraska is on the verge of implementing a statewide ban on student cellphone use in schools, following the advancement of Legislative Bill 140 (LB140) to the final round of legislative debate.
This initiative, championed by Governor Jim Pillen, aims to address concerns about classroom distractions and the impact of excessive screen time on student mental health.
Key Provisions of LB140
The proposed legislation seeks to prohibit students from using personal electronic devices, such as cellphones, under the following circumstances:
- On school grounds: During school hours.
- During school instructional functions: Including field trips and other educational activities.
However, the bill provides specific exceptions where cellphone use would be permitted:
| Exception | Description |
|---|---|
| Special education plans | Use of devices as part of a student’s individualized education program. |
| Educational purposes | Authorized use during instructional time as determined by the school district. |
| Emergencies or perceived threats | Situations where immediate communication is necessary for safety. |
| Health care management | Monitoring or managing a student’s health condition. |
| School board or employee discretion | Additional allowances as deemed appropriate by school authorities. |
Should LB140 be enacted, all 245 public school districts in Nebraska would be required to adopt device-related policies aligning with the new law by the start of the 2025-26 school year.
The enforcement and specific disciplinary measures for violations would be determined by individual school districts. It’s important to note that this bill does not apply to private schools.
Rationale Behind the Ban
Governor Pillen has emphasized that the primary motivations for this legislation are to reduce classroom distractions and to mitigate the adverse effects of constant cellphone use on students’ mental health.
Citing findings from Jonathan Haidt’s book, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness,” Pillen highlighted that young people receive an average of 192 alerts from top social apps daily, equating to 11 notifications per waking hour, or one notification every five minutes.
“There are two reasons for this bill. First, it addresses what has become one of the most frequent and difficult to manage distractions in the classroom—students’ cell phones,” Governor Pillen stated.
“The second reason for this legislation is the serious impact that constant cell phone use has on our kids.”
Legislative Progress and Support
LB140 has garnered bipartisan support throughout its legislative journey:
- Education Committee: The bill was advanced with a 7-0 vote, with one member absent.
- First Round of Debate: The Nebraska Legislature advanced the bill with a 44-0 vote, with five lawmakers not voting or excused.
- Second Round of Debate: As of March 3, 2025, LB140 has advanced to the third and final round of debate, bringing it closer to becoming law.
State Senator Rita Sanders of Bellevue, who sponsored the bill at the Governor’s request, expressed her commitment to fostering an educational environment free from digital distractions.
“I am committed to supporting policies that prioritize the well-being and academic growth of every student,” Sanders remarked.
“By removing electronic communication devices from the classroom, we can create that environment, allowing both teachers and students to fully succeed.”
Concerns and Considerations
While the bill has received widespread support, some lawmakers have raised concerns regarding its implementation and potential unintended consequences:
- Enforcement Challenges: State Senator Terrell McKinney of Omaha questioned how school districts would enforce the ban and whether it might lead to an increase in classroom discipline issues. “Most schools already have these policies, which are good,” McKinney noted. “The only thing I think about is how these school districts will enforce this.”
- Emergency Situations: State Senator Megan Hunt of Omaha emphasized the importance of students having quick access to their phones during emergencies, such as school shootings. The bill addresses this concern by allowing cellphone use in cases of emergency or perceived threats.
National Context
Nebraska’s initiative aligns with a broader national trend of states enacting or considering bans on student cellphone use in schools.
Governors from various states, regardless of political affiliation, are increasingly advocating for such measures to combat distractions and address mental health concerns among students.
At least eight states, including California, Florida, and Indiana, have implemented similar bans, while others encourage school districts to adopt restrictive cellphone policies.
Nebraska’s proposed cellphone ban in schools represents a significant step toward enhancing the educational environment by reducing distractions and addressing mental health concerns associated with excessive screen time.
As LB140 advances toward becoming law, it reflects a growing recognition of the need to balance technological access with the well-being and academic success of students.