Missouri Voters Show Broad Support for Restricting Student Device Use at School

ST. LOUIS - Governor Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bill 68 into law on July 9, enacting a statewide ban on the use of personal electronic devices, including cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches, throughout the school day in Missouri public and public charter schools.

The law, which takes effect in the 2025–26 academic year, reflects strong public backing for curbing classroom distractions and improving student focus.

Polling conducted by Saint Louis University and YouGov in February shows widespread voter support for banning cell phones in schools. Over 70% of likely Missouri voters favor prohibiting students from accessing cell phones during regular instructional activities across all K–12 schools.

Support spans political affiliations, age groups, and geographic regions, signaling rare, widespread agreement on a K–12 education issue. The August 2024 SLU/YouGov Poll similarly found that 72% of likely voters supported banning cell phone use by high school students during school hours.

“It’s rare to see such agreement on any education issue, but voters across political and demographic lines agree that cell phones should be off-limits during school hours,” said Ashley Burle, Ph.D., associate director of the SLU/YouGov Poll. “These findings reflect a growing desire to protect instructional time from digital distractions.”

The February 2025 SLU/YouGov Poll also found strong support for limiting student access to social media and artificial intelligence at school. Eighty-one percent of Missouri likely voters supported restricting access to social media via school internet networks, except when directed by a teacher for educational purposes. Even among voters aged 18-29, 76% supported such restrictions. Sixty-nine percent of likely voters also favored prohibiting students from using artificial intelligence on schoolwork.

Senate Bill 68: Statewide Rules with Local Flexibility

Senate Bill 68 establishes a consistent statewide policy that requires all Missouri public and public charter schools to restrict student use of personal electronic devices throughout the entire school day, including during lunch, passing periods, and study halls. Exceptions are allowed for emergencies, documented medical or disability-related needs, and teacher-directed instructional purposes.

At the same time, local school districts retain the flexibility to implement the policy in their own way. Schools may opt for various strategies, such as storing devices in lockers, backpacks, or designated “phone hotels.” Each district is required to publish its implementation plan online to promote transparency and community awareness.

The cell phone restriction is part of a broader education package included in SB 68, which also addresses school safety, teacher recruitment and compensation, special education services, and funding flexibility (See the bill summary here).

With the signing of SB 68, Missouri joins at least 24 other states and the District of Columbia that have enacted statewide policies requiring schools to restrict or ban the use of cell phones by students, according to Education Week. These bans reflect increasing concern about the academic and mental health consequences of unregulated device use. Excessive phone use has been linked to reduced attention span, lower academic performance, and increased anxiety and depression. Frequent social media use has also been associated with body image concerns, disordered eating, and cyberbullying.

“Missouri voters’ opinions on cell phones in school are in line with national trends in public opinion,” said Steven Rogers, Ph.D., SLU/YouGov Poll Director and associate professor of political science at Saint Louis University. “A 2024 YouGov survey found that 58% of U.S. adults support policies banning high school students from using smartphones during the school day.”

Top-line survey results can be found here. Results with demographic and party cross-tabs can be found here. The margin of error for the full survey sample is ± 3.64%.

The February 2025 SLU/YouGov Poll was funded by the PRiME Center in SLU’s School of Education.

About YouGov

Saint Louis University has partnered with YouGov to conduct its annual survey of Missouri voters. YouGov conducts surveys for multiple academic institutions and is the primary, trusted survey firm for media organizations, including CBS News and The Economist. An independent Pew Research Center study of online survey firms in 2016 further concluded that YouGov “consistently outperforms competitors.”

About Saint Louis University

Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic research institutions. Rooted in Jesuit values and its pioneering history as the first university west of the Mississippi River, SLU offers more than 15,300 students a rigorous, transformative education that challenges and prepares them to make the world a better place. As a nationally recognized leader in research and innovation, SLU is an R1 research university, advancing groundbreaking, life-changing discoveries that promote the greater good.