Beginning with the 2025–26 school year, Lakewood City Schools implemented a districtwide rule: a full-day cell phone restriction. The policy was adopted in response to House Bill 250, an Ohio law that took effect last spring and aims to limit cell phone use in schools and reduce classroom distractions.
For students and teachers, this policy and House Bill 250 have already reshaped the school day. In classrooms, study halls, and during lunch periods, phones are required to be put away in backpacks and out of sight.
A Statewide Shift towards Education
On Aug. 1, 2023, House Bill 250 was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives by state Reps. Jessica Miranda and Tracy Richardson. Through strategic procedures, the House passed the bill on Nov. 15, 2023, and sent it to the Senate six days later on Nov. 21. Five months after its initial introduction, the Senate approved House Bill 250. Then, less than a year after its introduction, Governor Mike DeWine signed the bill into law.
House Bill 250 requires school districts to implement strict phone policies by the start of the 2025-26 academic year. This bill is strongly supported by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who believes that school children currently face countless distractions every day from the devices in their pockets. DeWine believes that by limiting these distractions, we will reestablish the opportunity for students across Ohio to immerse themselves in their classwork, learn from their teachers, and create lifelong memories with their closest friends.
Student Voices: School Without Phones
Since the start of the 2025-26 school year, Lakewood students have had to adjust to a full-day phone ban. Unlike previous years, students are required to keep their phones put away in backpacks or lockers and keep them silenced throughout the school day. In previous years, students could use their phones during study halls, but under the new policy, their phones must remain put away even during these periods.
Lakewood students are divided on the new policy. “Students have their phones out from boredom, but it gives students a life skill of talking face-to-face with others,” said Lakewood High School senior Greyson Walter.
There has been a complete shift in the way that students spend their free time. More students are interacting face-to-face, playing cards, focusing on homework or other activities, instead of relying solely on personal devices, with the exception of a Chromebook.
Teaching Through Change: Staff Opinions
This new Bill not only changes the school day for students, but for teachers too. Teachers have expressed mixed feelings about the new policy, with some noticing increased student engagement while others cite limitations on phone use in the curriculum.
Lakewood High School teacher Joseph Zombek said, “I’m fully in favor. I think the phones have gotten to be too much of a distraction in the classroom, so I’m glad to see that we’re uniform across the board. It’s better for teachers because there is no longer a good and bad guy [for teachers], and it’s better for students as well. This gives students consistency in the classroom and the building.”
Exceptions:
Some students have an exception to the new phone policy, including those with 504 plans or an Individualized Education Program (IEP). These accommodations are discussed with administrators and counselors to ensure that their learning and medical needs are not affected.
Lakewood High School administrator Bridgette Firstenberger said, “There are things [exceptions] in place, so like it’s hard because not everybody is going to see that directly, for example, there are provisions in place, or will be provisions in place for students who need access to their phone, let’s say to check their blood sugar.”
Looking Ahead: The Greater Future
Schools across Ohio will implement a stricter policy next semester, prohibiting student phone use during the instructional day, including in the hallways and during lunch. This is with the exception of emergencies or for students with an IEP or 504 plan.
As the 2nd semester rolls around and Ohio schools implement stricter phone policies, Lakewood students, teachers, and administrators are learning how to navigate a classroom without the use of cell phones.
