Students are adjusting to Governor Mike DeWine’s statewide phone ban in Ohio schools, signed into law in June.
Ohio House Bill 96 requires public school districts to implement a policy by January 1, 2026, prohibiting students from using cellphones during the instructional day, with exceptions for documented health needs, and cyber security plans are also covered in this plan. It applies to all Ohio school districts, community schools, and STEM schools. Private schools are not affected by this state mandate.
“I don’t think there are any students who would argue that [a cell phone] is not a distraction,” Principal Scott Hinton said.
Hinton, who came from another district just a couple of years ago, noted that Granville High School had historically experienced significantly fewer electronic issues than their counterparts. He argued that even when students were allowed to use phones during lunch, they remained social. This local success led Hinton to question the scope of the statewide measure.
“So should we have to have the same rules as everyone else?” Hinton said.
Hinton said that he and Assistant Principal Katie Beach attempted to make it so students could have cellphones in between classes and during lunch periods
“We lost that fight on August 11,” Hinton said. “The Department of Higher Education came out, clarifying that they saw lunch and class change time as part of the instructional day.”
For some students who struggle with social anxiety, panic attacks and feeling left out, the phone was a lifeline to get them through their day.
“I believe it has been very difficult for them [kids who have social anxiety disorder and panic attacks],” School Counselor Brandi Cosgrove said. “In and of itself, the phone is not a bad thing. I would’ve hoped for them to have it available to them during study hall and lunch.”
Students have also expressed concern about contacting parents in emergencies.
“If something bad does happen and I don’t have my phone it could go very wrong,” sophomore Ari Kim-Ramirez said. “People need their cellphones to communicate with their parents. [A cell phone] allows you to communicate more face to face with people but I don’t like that they’re banning it completely.”
According to Hinton, the school already had phone rules set in place at GHS that do not differ now that the phone ban has been placed in school.
“We couldn’t make the choice that felt right for Granville High School,” Hinton said
