Indiana's state legislature has implemented new laws that could have big impacts on students. Among them is a ban on using “any portable wireless device” during class. This ban takes effect in July, ahead of the 2024/25 school year, and covers cell phones, tablets, gaming devices, and even laptops. 

While the goal of this law is to reinforce in-school policies aimed at eliminating distractions from the classroom, it will almost certainly be an area of controversy. Call the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team at 888.535.3686 or online for help navigating this new law and its effects on you or your child. 

School Districts Will Decide Implementation & Enforcement 

Under the new law, individual school districts will determine how to enforce the ban and what consequences a student may face for violating it. This means regulations will vary from district to district as different school boards adopt different policies.  

Some districts may require students to keep their phones in their lockers or within specially designated areas in the classroom, while others may allow students to keep their phones on them so long as they aren't being used. All of these variables determine how the standard of proof will be administered for violations of this new policy. 

The law also says that students can use their devices in the case of an emergency. However, it's unclear how students will be able to do this in school districts where phones are locked away from the student population. 

There are some exceptions to the ban. Students who use their devices to monitor health conditions, such as blood sugar levels, will still be allowed to do so. Teachers are also able to give permission for students to use devices, making it likely that enforcement policies will differ from classroom to classroom, even within a single school. For students, such a lack of uniform policy enforcement can create confusion and unnecessary complexity. 

A Growing Trend in American Classrooms 

Indiana is not the only state that has limited student cell phone use. A similar law was passed in Florida in 2023, and several other states are currently working on their own versions of the law. Meanwhile, many school districts are creating their own policies regardless of their state's laws. 

Cell phone bans seek to create a distraction-free classroom, but in doing so, they could actually be violating students' basic privacy rights. By giving individual school districts most of the responsibility for administering and enforcing the bans, the Indiana state law also creates a situation where it will be difficult to ensure equal application of the law. 

If your child's school is restricting digital device usage, the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can help. Call us now at 888.535.3686 or contact us online for a consultation.