Phones up! Starting this fall, Alabama public schools are banning cellphones and many other electronic devices from the classroom.

A new law, called the FOCUS Act, requires students to turn off most devices and stow them away during the school day, unless needed for schoolwork.

The aim, officials say, is to keep classrooms safe and free of distractions.

“We recognize that this adjustment may take time, and we encourage families to begin talking with their children now about what to expect,” Jasper Superintendent Ann Jackson wrote in a letter to parents. She advised parents to help children ease into the new rules by setting limits on screen time before school starts.

Students will only be able to use devices at school if:

• They are eligible for accommodations through an individualized education, health or 504 plan
• The device is needed for learning purposes and they are under the supervision of school staff
• There is an emergency threatening the life or safety of the student or another person

Several schools already ban phones or other devices from the classroom. State Superintendent Eric Mackey said all districts should have some kind of policy in place by the fall 2025 semester.

Parents should see if their local school has created a policy in response to the FOCUS Act.

“Obviously, when you implement a new law across the state this large, there are going to be some glitches in the fall, and when there are, we’ll work through those,” Mackey told reporters last week. “But I would say this is definitely the right move for students. All the research shows it’s the right move for students, and I’m very excited about it.”

What is banned?

Unless a student qualifies for an exemption or a teacher authorizes use of a device, prohibited devices include, but are not limited to:

• Cellphones
• Tablet computers
• Laptops
• Pagers
• Gaming devices
• Smart watches
• Wireless earbuds
• Any other portable electronic device that can exchange voice, messaging or other communication with another device

Where should my student store their device?

The law states that devices should be turned off and stored “off the student person” in a locker, car, backpack or other storage location.

Some districts may allow students to use their device during lunch or between classes, but they must be stowed away during instructional time. Others plan to ban devices from bell to bell.

What will happen if my child is found with a device?

School cellphone rules can vary from district to district. Parents should be able to find specifics on their school’s policy in their student handbook or board policy manual.

In some districts, like Morgan County, a student could be sent to in school suspension for using a device without permission. Some say they’ll confiscate the device and return it to a parent.

How do I contact my child during the school day?

Several districts advise parents to keep communication limited, but if needed, they can contact the school office or send an email to the student’s school email address. Others are revising emergency procedures to ensure parents are more quickly alerted in the event of a threat.

Social media curriculum

The FOCUS Act also requires seventh graders to get instruction in safe social media use. It’s up to districts to decide whether they’ll offer the course during an advisory period or through existing coursework.

Students who transfer schools after 8th grade and who did not receive prior instruction will have to make up the course.