Phones on Mute: Nebraska’s Bid to Keep Classrooms Distraction-Free

LB140’s Smart Move to Let Kids Learn Without Notifications Running Wild

May 09, 2025

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Forward Nebraska

As a recent college grad who went through Nebraska’s public schools, I know firsthand how phones can hijack your attention in class. On March 3, 2025, Nebraska lawmakers passed LB140 with a unanimous 44-0 vote, a bill introduced by Senator Rita Sanders and backed by Governor Jim Pillen. It requires all school boards to create policies restricting student use of electronic devices, like cellphones, during instructional time by the 2025-26 school year. Backed by hard data, this bill is a practical step to help kids focus and succeed.

Why LB140 Makes Sense

Phones in class were a constant battle when I was in school, and the stats back up why they’re a problem. A 2018 Rutgers study found students using devices during lectures scored half a letter grade lower on exams, and even those nearby lost focus. A 2016 UK study showed phone bans raised test scores by 6.4%, especially for struggling students. Plus, 72% of high school teachers say phones are a major distraction, with 53% of school leaders linking them to worse grades.

LB140 tackles this by requiring school boards to limit device use during instructional time. Its strengths are:

Focused Classrooms: It keeps phones out of the way during lessons, so students can pay attention instead of checking notifications.
Local Flexibility: School boards can design rules that work for their district, from warnings to phone lockers.
Reasonable Exceptions: Devices are allowed for IEPs, 504 plans, health needs, emergencies, or district-approved schoolwork.

Senator Sanders noted that Bellevue Public Schools already saw success with phone bans—fewer distractions, more engagement. LB140 spreads that statewide while letting districts customize. With 97% of teens using phones during school for 43 minutes daily, mostly on social media or games, this reset is needed.

Addressing the Pushback

Some might argue that LB140 is too strict or hard to implement. As someone who’s been in those classrooms, I can see where they’re coming from, but here’s why the bill holds up.

“It Limits Kids’ Independence and Parent Contact”
Critics might say banning phones during class cuts kids off from freedom or parents in emergencies. I remember wanting my phone to text my mom, but LB140 allows use in emergencies or threats, so safety’s covered. Class time is just a few hours—kids can wait till lunch to message. A 2018 Pew study found 67% of parents want phones for safety, but LB140 balances that with focus. Learning to manage without constant phone access builds real independence, something I had to learn the hard way in college.
“Enforcement Sounds Like a Headache”
Some worry teachers will be stuck collecting phones, which could be chaotic. A 2024 study on Yondr pouches in Bethlehem Central Schools showed a 6.27% grade increase and 44% fewer behavioral issues. LB140 lets schools choose their approach, and the Education Committee’s amendment clarifies that districts, not teachers, set educational use rules, easing the load.
“It’s Too Broad”
Senator Wendy DeBoer raised concerns about smartwatches, like punishing kids for checking the time. Good thing physical clocks are still around! The amendment includes all electronic devices for clarity, and school boards can exempt non-disruptive tools like watches. Local control means districts can fine-tune to avoid dumb mix-ups.
“Phones Are Needed for Learning”
Some argue devices are essential, especially for students with disabilities. I had classmates who relied on tech for accommodations, and LB140 allows use for IEPs, 504 plans, and approved lessons, as Senator Danielle Conrad noted. A 2023 Common Sense Media study said 46.4% of parents want educational apps, but most phone use is social, not academic, so the restriction makes sense.

Why It Matters

LB140 hits home because I know how hard it is to focus with a phone buzzing in your pocket. A 2020 Common Sense Media report found teens get 273 notifications a day, with a quarter during school. A 2014 study linked texting in class to a 10.6% drop in test recall numbers. I can believe after bombing a few quizzes myself. This bill helps kids build focus and habits that’ll serve them in college and beyond.

It also respects Nebraska’s local communities. School boards get to make policies that fit their community, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach. Senator Jana Hughes said even adults struggle with phones—kids need these boundaries more, and I can vouch for that. Who hasn’t had a late-night scrolling session?

Conclusion

LB140 is a smart, evidence-based move to help Nebraska students succeed. By limiting devices during instructional time, it cuts distractions while keeping exceptions for what matters and letting schools call the shots. Critics’ concerns—about independence, enforcement, clarity, or learning needs—are handled by the bill’s design and amendments. As a public school grad, I see this as the kind of change that could’ve helped me focus back then. Nebraska’s lawmakers got it right, and LB140 is a win for students, teachers, and our state’s future.

Sources:

Unicameral Update, “School cellphone ban clears first round,” March 4, 2025, https://update.legislature.ne.gov/?p=37756.
Pew Research Center, “72% of U.S. high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom,” June 12, 2024, https://www.pewresearch.org.
Rutgers University, “Cellphone Distraction in the Classroom Can Lead to Lower Grades,” July 27, 2018, https://www.rutgers.edu.
Common Sense Media, “Cell Phones Are A Distraction In School: Statistics and How Parents and Teachers Really Feel,” September 4, 2019, https://www.slicktext.com.
K-12 Dive, “97% of teens say they use their phones during the school day,” September 27, 2023, https://www.k12dive.com.
National Center for Education Statistics, “More than Half of Public School Leaders Say Cell Phones Hurt Academic Performance,” February 19, 2025, https://nces.ed.gov.
ExcelinEd, “Scroll Less, Learn More: State Policy Solutions to Combat the Impact of Smartphones and Social Media on Education,” December 31, 2024, https://excelined.org.
ScienceDirect, “Ill Communication: Technology, distraction & student performance,” 2016, https://www.sciencedirect.com.
Lightspeed Systems, “Great Debates | Cell Phones in Schools: Empower Learning or Enforce Limits?,” September 24, 2024, https://www.lightspeedsystems.com.