Gov. Cox: Let’s outlaw cellphones in Utah’s K-12 schools — ‘bell-to-bell’

Cellphones in Utah K-12 schools may soon be as scarce as abacuses, slide rules and typewriters.

On Wednesday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced plans to ban cellphones in schools — from the moment the morning school bell rings until the toll of the afternoon bell.

That means students would not be allowed to use their mobile devices at any time during the school day, except for approved circumstances.

The “bell-to-bell” cellphone prohibition would require legislative approval. But a similar bill introduced last year restricting cellphone use during class time passed with strong support.

Cox applauded last year’s “class time” cellphone ban — but believes that it didn’t go far enough. Now the governor may soon be getting his “bell-to-bell” wish.

Speaking with reporters Wednesday at the Capitol, Cox announced upcoming legislation to make official “bell-to-bell” removal of cellphones in Utah’s K-12 public schools.

The 2026 Utah legislative session begins Jan. 20.

“I am convinced, more than ever, that a ‘bell-to-bell’ cellphone ban is the single most important thing that we can do for our students in our schools today,” said Cox.

The governor has long agonized over Utah youth misusing many of today’s digital options — including AI, social media and cellphones. He admitted Wednesday to “my own Twitter addiction.” It’s a habit he’s working to curb.

Cox recently removed social media from his cellphone. He reports already writing and reading more. “It’s been incredible,” he said, “just to feel my own brain starting to rewire itself back to where it used to be.”

The attention-sucking power of devices such as cellphones, added Cox, makes for an “unfair fight” for adults and young people.

Now a law to relieve Utah’s K-12 students from such digital forces — at least during school — is essential.

Governor touts ‘bell-to-bell’ benefits

Wednesday’s announcement of a “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban bill follows last year’s Senate Bill 178, which prohibited students in the state’s public schools from using their phones when they are in class.

However, Utah students are still allowed to use their cellphones at, say, recess, or at lunch or in between classes — unless a specific school or district opts for a stricter, or looser, cellphone policy.

Some wondered last year how students and parents would respond to cellphone restrictions during class.

“But I’ve yet to meet a teacher, I’ve yet to meet a student, I’ve yet to meet a parent and I’ve yet to meet an administrator who thinks that was a bad idea,” said Cox.

“Conversely, I have had dozens and dozens, maybe hundreds, of students and parents and even some administrators who have apologized to me because they thought it was a bad idea — and now they realize it was the best thing that could have happened.

“And every single one of them laments that we didn’t go far enough.”

An enhanced “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban in schools is essential, he added, because learning is not limited to class time.

“Learning happens when we’re walking down the hall. Learning happens when we’re out on the playground during recess. Learning happens during lunchtime,” said Cox.

“And these are social skills; social learning. We’re looking people in the eye. We’re having actual conversations. We’re engaging.

“This is how we develop the human brain, but also how we develop as human beings. We need that development now more than ever — especially with the advent of artificial intelligence.”

Cox noted Wednesday that some Utah schools have already implemented “bell-to-bell” cellphone restrictions. He’s spoken with principals at those schools — and they are reporting impressive outcomes.

A few such outcomes were expected: Test scores went up. Bullying went down. Engagement between students went up.

But other results, said the governor, were surprising.

“Attendance went up significantly,” he said.

“That was not something we had planned on — but it turns out when you have an environment where people enjoy being together and interacting with each other, that kids want to be there and they show up.

“That helps to solve some of the chronic absenteeism that we’re dealing with in their schools.”

The governor said he’s not naive. A few kids will always try to dodge bans by trying to slip a phone past their teachers or principals.

“But here’s the thing,” he said. “It’s changed the whole culture. The peer pressure has gone from ‘Why don’t you have a phone?’ to ‘Why do you have a phone?’

“They’re keeping them in their pockets and they’re not on those devices.”

Sen. Fillmore: Cellphone restriction helps students, teachers and families thrive

Cox acknowledged that some students may require access to their cellphones because of medical issues or special circumstances. And if the anticipated bill becomes law, schools will work individually with parents.

Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan, was SB178’s sponsor and joined in Wednesday’s “bell-to-bell” announcement.

Fillmore said last year’s legislation was “game changing in schools” — and the response has been “overwhelmingly popular.”

Currently, schools and districts have the freedom to ignore SB178 and allow students full access to their phones. But Fillmore said he’s not aware of any doing less than the state-outline “default” — while others have opted to go beyond the SB178’s “no cellphone use during class time” provisions.

Now in 2026, lawmakers will seek to enhance the default to no cellphones in K-12 schools, bell-to-bell.

“We are very happy to be here to announce that we’re going to take this next important step to remove cellphones from school in a way that will help students and teachers and families thrive,” he said.

Shifting attitudes about keeping cellphones out of schools

Cache County’s Avery Gonzalez exercised a bit of courage last year when she advocated for SB178’s passage during legislative committee meetings.

Gonzalez was still a high school student at the time, and speaking out in favor of the bill upset some peers.

Speaking Wednesday, Gonzalez said a few classmates felt she was “trying to take something away from them.” But she felt strongly about voicing her convictions.

“What happened next changed everything,” she said. “When the bill was passed and was implemented, many of those students and parents came back to me and said, ‘Thank you.’ They didn’t realize how much their phones were pulling them away from their classmates, teachers, and even from themselves, until they experienced school without the constant distraction.”

Now an enhanced “bell-to-bell” policy will build upon the positive results already occurring, she said.

“This approach creates consistency and clarity,” said Gonzalez. “It allows students to fully disconnect from their screen and fully reconnect with learning and with each other. This won’t just change schools, it will change lives.”

The Policy Project founder and president Emily Bell McCormick said Wednesday that when Utah lawmakers ratified SB178, “the world shifted for our students.”

“The 237 notifications our students received every single day were momentarily set aside,” she said. “Our teachers had, for the first time in many years, a chance to teach without the competition of memes, posts, stories, texts and scrolls.

“The classroom was quiet.”

It marked a critical first step — but, she said, it wasn’t enough.

“This year, we are advancing toward the gold standard — limiting devices in schools from the first bell in the morning to the last bell in the afternoon,” said Bell McCormick.

“Why now? Because teachers and administrators got a taste of phone-free classrooms.

“And students gained confidence that there really is life on the other side of the screen, and it’s good.”

Cox warns of cellphones’ ‘destructive power’

When asked if the proposed “bell-to-bell” legislation might be impeding on individuals’ responsibility and choice, Cox said society has long established rules to protect kids. They are not allowed to smoke or take drugs. And young teens can’t drive.

But Utah policymakers in the past, he added, made a mistake “by not understanding the destructive power of these devices with our kids.”

Meanwhile, some parents may worry that their children’s safety is lessened without the capacity to use cellphones to make and receive calls while at school.

But Fillmore said schools are already well equipped to handle communications in case of emergencies. And if, he added, there’s an active shooter situation at a school, cellphones pose distractions at a moment “when students need to be focused and following directions.”

Added Cox: “Every law enforcement expert we’ve talked to on that issue says that this is a net positive for student safety.”