By Deba Uwadiae and Taiwo Akinlami

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has endorsed the Senate Bill 158 sponsored by Senator Jane Timken (R-Jackson Township), banning student use of cell phones during the school day in Ohio.

Governor DeWine has also introduced a similar language to ban cell phones in schools as part of his executive budget proposal.

“Following the enactment of a new law last year requiring school districts to implement policies to address the use of cell phones in schools, many districts that chose to ban cell phones have already noted improvement in student engagement, attendance, grades, socialization, and communication,” said Governor Mike DeWine at a press conference on the bill.

Governor Mike DeWine was joined at the press conference by State Senator Jane Timken (R-Jackson Township), State Senator Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware), Dr. John Marschhausen, Superintendent, Dublin City School District and Tina Husted, former Second Lady of Ohio and a champion for protecting children online. As Second Lady, Husted supported Braden’s Law. Signed by Governor DeWine in January, Braden’s Law takes effect this week, making sexual extortion a felony offense in Ohio.

Sponsored by Sen. Jane Timken (R-Jackson Township), Senate Bill 158 incorporates language first introduced by Governor DeWine in his executive budget – prohibiting student use of cell phones during the school day.

“It’s clear that we need to get cell phones out of our classrooms,” said Governor DeWine.

“The constant distraction of cell phones makes it nearly impossible for students to focus and learn. Not only do they negatively impact student performance, but they can also be harmful to kids’ mental and emotional health.”

“In schools that have already banned phones, we’ve heard from teachers, administrators, and parents who say the results have been remarkable. Student engagement has improved. Grades are better. Socialization is improving,” added Governor DeWine.

“It’s rare that one change can have such a positive difference. That’s why it’s time to make Ohio schools phone free.”

SB 158 will expedite the implementation process – allowing schools time over the summer to update their policies to prohibit student use of cell phones in time for the start of the 2025-2026 school year this fall.

The bill includes exceptions for students using a cell phone for a documented purpose as part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or for monitoring a health concern.

“When phones are within reach, our children are constantly wondering, ‘What am I missing? What notification did I miss?’ This does not provide for a conducive learning environment, and also has damaging social effects,” said Senator Timken.

“This legislation is a common sense approach to unplug our children from the constant distractions that they have in the classroom. It will reduce those distractions and will facilitate the building of the interpersonal relationships that are so vital to human development.”

“This is something where Ohio is taking the lead,” said Senator Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware), who worked on legislation last year requiring schools to implement policies regarding the use of cell phones.  “We started the work last year with House Bill 250 to get cell phones out of our classrooms. I believe this is all a step in the right direction.”

“We’ve had near-unanimous support from our parents for banning cell phones from our schools,” said Dr. John Marschhausen, Superintendent, Dublin City School District.

“As we’ve had meetings recently, our Business Advisory Council has talked about the importance of graduating students who can work and be successful without having a device in their hands.”

“This legislation also opens up conversations with moms and dads, with grandmas and grandpas, because what we do in school from 7:30 to 2:30 isn’t enough,” Dr.  Marschhausen added.

“Making sure our students are safe on their phones takes all of us working together.”

The Governor was also joined by Tina Husted, former Second Lady of Ohio and a champion for protecting children online. As Second Lady, Husted was a key supporter of Braden’s Law, which makes sexual extortion a felony offense in Ohio. Signed by Governor DeWine earlier this year, Braden’s Law, which was named after a 15-year-old boy from central Ohio who took his life after being victimized in a financial “sextortion” scam, officially takes effect Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

In addition to highlighting the work done to make Braden’s Law a reality, Husted discussed strategies parents can use to be more aware of what their children are doing on their phones.

“Online safety for our children is one of the most critical issues of our time. There have been accounts of ‘sextortion’ and online bullying which, at times, have resulted in a loss of life,” Husted said.

“Over 90% of people, including our children, are using smartphones. As a parent and an athletic coach, I have witnessed firsthand the dangers that online apps and social media can have to young children, as well to as to developing teens.”

Husted suggested serval steps parents can take to protect their child’s online health, including setting up parental restrictions, limiting a child’s activity on their device to less than three hours per day, and not letting a child sleep with their phone, among other suggestions.

“There are also new apps being developed that parents can download that monitor a child’s phone usage for threats and send alerts when there is harmful or risky activity,” Husted added.

“Most importantly, talk to your children. Make sure they know that they can come to you if they feel uncertain or threatened by anyone.”

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