The Maryland Senate passed a bill unanimously Friday that would require every local board of education to implement a policy significantly restricting student use of personal cellphones, laptops, smart watches and other devices, and a ban on student social media use during the school day by the 2028 school year.

The bill, which has been criticized by multiple boards of education, now moves to the House of Delegates

Under the Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, students would have to put away any personal devices for the entire school day, including class time, passing periods, lunch and recess. The bans would not apply to devices that are school-issued, needed for individualized education programs, or to address health issues. The devices would also not be banned in the event of an emergency, and administrators could permit their use for specific educational activities when school-issued devices are unavailable.

Baltimore Scoop’s take:

It’s hard to understand how something this straightforward is facing opposition from multiple boards of education.

Limiting phone use during the school day isn’t a radical idea, it’s common sense.

What’s even more surprising is the timeline. A policy like this shouldn’t take until the 2027–28 school year to implement.

Why does it take years to enforce a basic rule?

Public education is broken.