Winter break is officially over, and for schools across South Carolina, students will see a change this semester. A new cell phone policy prohibits the use of electronic personal devices during school hours.

The South Carolina Department of Education has launched the “Free to Focus SC” initiative, aiming to create a phone-free school environment that fosters a positive learning environment for students. The department is hopeful this policy will improve student focus and engagement.

A National Education Association Poll found that 83% of teachers support an all-day phone-free policy and 95% of teachers report that anxiety and depression are a problem in public schools, often linked to phone use.

Phones and technology have become addictive for students, experts say, making them increasingly reliant on their devices. A report by Common Sense found that 35% of teens admit to using their cell phones to cheat and 41% of teens with the highest social media usage rate their overall mental health as poor or very poor.

The S.C. Department of Education released a sample roll-out timeline, starting with schools planning their implementation and informing parents and students through emails. Parents had opportunities to ask questions and meet with staff.

As of January, all schools are launching the new policy. The Department of Education is advising schools to ensure there is support during the transition and to prepare teachers for potential student pushback. Following the launch, administrators will gather feedback from teachers and staff and communicate results to parents.

Three to four months after the policy is implemented, the Department of Education will survey administrators, teachers and students by April 30, 2025. The department will then share the results with stakeholders and discuss successes and areas for improvement.

To help enforce the policy, some schools will be able to offer storage options for students’ phones. The Department of Education says these storage options include cell phone lockers, Yondr pouches and low-cost alternatives like backpack storage, pencil pouches and padded envelopes.

Lexington County schools have not announced whether they will use these storage units. Consequences for violating the policy will vary by school district. However, the Department of Education outlined possible penalties for students who violate the policy. The first offense may result in the phone being taken to the office and returned at the end of the school day.

The second offense could require a parent or guardian to pick up the phone. The third offense could involve the phone being held until a meeting is scheduled with the student’s parents or guardians to discuss a plan for the rest of the year.

Schools can implement their own consequences in alignment with their code of conduct. Exceptions to the policy exist for students with IEPs, medical plans or 504 plans.

Since this policy was announced in September, Lexington County school board members have reported during board meetings that they have received numerous questions and concerns over this policy, especially regarding how they can get in contact with their children in the event of an emergency.

The Department of Education reminds parents that they can contact their children by calling the main office, where a phone will be available for students. The department emphasizes that the goal of this policy is to reduce phone use and ensure student engagement.