Smartphones are banned for the 2026-27 school year as per a new Michigan state law.

On Tuesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a new law to ban smartphones in classrooms starting this fall. Developed by Representative Mark Tisdel and Senator Dayna Polehanki, the bipartisan law requires schools to adopt a policy banning the use of smartphones during instructional time and create rules for how students can access their phones in the case of an emergency. While students will still be able to bring their devices to school, they must now be stored away during class. Medically necessary devices and district owned devices, though, will not be restricted. According to Whitmer, this law aims to address concerns regarding decreased attention spans, cyberbullying, and the increased prevalence of depression and anxiety.

Michigan’s smartphone ban follows similar policies enacted in 29 other states.  

This story will be updated as new information becomes available.