Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs school cellphone ban, saying it will benefit students

Craig Mauger, The Detroit News on Feb 10, 2026

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LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vowed Tuesday that a new state policy to ban students from using cellphones in schools during instructional time will help improve their social skills and their ability to learn.

Whitmer, a Democrat, signed two bills on the subject into law during an event inside Waverly High School, three miles from the state Capitol.

"Will this new law work?" Hell yes, it will," Whitmer said. "I know I'm in school. I shouldn't be swearing."

Whitmer, lawmakers and educators spoke out in support of the cellphone ban on Tuesday, while standing in a hallway in front of a row of blue lockers and signs that said "supporting MI students."

The governor called for the cellphone restriction during her 2025 State of the State address. A bipartisan coalition of Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, and Rep. Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills, helped negotiate a compromise and usher it through the divided Legislature, where bipartisan achievements have been few over the last year.

Under the new law, school districts will have to create their own policies by next school year that, at a minimum, prohibit cellphones from being used during instructional time.

The districts could also act earlier or go further to completely outlaw phones and other devices on campus, but the decision on whether to exceed the new minimum standard would be up to local officials.

Tisdel has previously estimated that 40 of the more than 500 school districts in Michigan already have cellphone policies that are enforced. But the landscape of rules is a patchwork in Michigan, and a uniform state law gives school policies greater weight when challenged by students or parents, the Republican lawmaker has contended.

"These devices are addictive," Tisdel told reporters. "They're intentionally addictive. The algorithms driving the social media sites are meant to bring you back and keep you on, and they're monetizing our kids' attention and turning them into valuable data points that they can sell."

Polehanki, a former high school teacher, said forcing teachers to try to monitor student cellphone use has disrupted classrooms. Having the power of state law behind educators will help, she said.

"I think what everyone can agree upon is that cellphones don't belong in the classroom during instruction," Polehanki said.

In the Senate, Sen. Michele Hoitenga opposed the bills. She said that while she agrees that limiting cellphone use in schools can lead to positive educational outcomes, she doesn't believe more laws are necessary.

"Schools can already establish their own phone policies at the local level without a government mandate," Hoitenga said.

Whitmer said about half of the 50 states already have policies on cellphones in classrooms, and they've seen positive results.

Behavioral issues have declined in California, and test scores have jumped in Florida, the governor said.

"When students put their phones down, their grades go up," Whitmer said.

Carcia Young, an algebra teacher at Waverly, spoke in support of the new law, saying it was about protecting the learning environment so students can focus on their education and their future.

Waverly already had its own district policy against cellphones and experienced a "powerful change" after it was put in place, Young said.

"When students are fully present, they participate more, retain more and achieve more," Young said.

Callan Maxwell, a senior at Waverly, endorsed the new law. She introduced Whitmer on Tuesday and stood by the governor while she signed the bills.

"High school is a place where you learn, you make mistakes, and you grow from them," Maxwell said. "But it's really hard to do that when your entire life exists within one tiny screen."

The legislation affects more than just cellphones in school. It prohibits the use of "wireless communications devices" that are capable of text messaging, voice communication, accessing the internet or receiving photos and videos.

Tisdel has said he believes the prohibition would affect devices like Apple Watches because they can access the internet and be synced with a cellphone for text messaging.

There are exemptions for school district-owned devices, such as tablets, and medically necessary devices. The new law also requires districts to have protocols in place for allowing students to use their devices during emergencies.

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—Staff Writer Beth LeBlanc contributed.