Lawmakers in Wisconsin are advancing a significant legislative effort to remove mobile devices from the school environment entirely. Assembly Bill 948 recently cleared the Senate Committee on Education with a 4 to 1 vote and is now headed to the full Senate for consideration. If the measure passes and is signed by Governor Tony Evers, it would establish a statewide mandate effective July 1, 2027. This proposal builds upon existing legislation that requires school districts to implement cell phone restrictions during instructional hours, effectively expanding those rules to cover the entire duration of the school day. Representative Linda Brill, a Republican from Sheboygan Falls, emphasized that a total ban is necessary to address the shortcomings of current partial restrictions. During a legislative task force visit to Oostburg, Superintendent Kevin Bruggink reported that students have begun concentrating their phone usage during non-instructional times, leading to 15-minute bathroom breaks and chronic tardiness. Brill specifically highlighted the rise of “silent lunch,” a phenomenon where students sit together in cafeterias but remain completely disengaged from one another, focused exclusively on their screens. Supporters like Senator John Jagler argue that a statewide mandate provides necessary cover for school leaders who might otherwise be hesitant to enact such policies at the local level due to community pushback.
The bill is not without its detractors. Senator Chris Larson, a Democrat from Milwaukee, provided the lone dissenting vote in the committee, suggesting that the legislature should instead focus on regulating social media access for minors rather than the devices themselves. Larson expressed concern that the state is doubling down on device bans without addressing the digital platforms that cause the most psychological harm. In response, Brill noted that the legislature is currently reviewing a broader package of bills aimed at online safety and increasing resources for the Internet Crimes Against Children task force.
Logistically, the bill includes provisions for locking cell phone pouches, which would cost between $20 and $30 per student to keep devices unusable until the final bell. It also includes vital exceptions for students who require mobile devices as part of their individual education plan (IEP) or special education programming. While the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators opposes the bill, it has garnered support from organizations such as the American Diabetes Association. The legislation has already passed the Wisconsin Assembly and now awaits its final hurdles in the Senate.
