A new law taking effect this school year bans cell phone use for all Florida middle school students and places restrictions on high schoolers, requiring school districts to adopt stricter policies on personal devices.

Pasco County schools were ahead of the curve, implementing one of the state’s toughest phone rules last year in anticipation of the law.

“We approached this very logically as a district,” said Toni Zetzsche, a Pasco County schools official.

District leaders acknowledged pushback during the initial rollout—teachers voiced concerns about classroom dynamics, while some parents worried about losing access to their children during emergencies.

As more school districts now update their policies to comply with the new law, Pasco officials say they’ve learned it’s not without challenges.

“There are still situations where students don’t want to give up their phones,” Zetzsche said. “For some, it’s a security blanket—being connected gives them comfort.”

Despite the adjustment period, Zetzsche said a consistent, districtwide approach helps ensure classrooms stay focused and free from digital distractions.

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(Image credit: Adobe stock image by Drazen)

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