Florida House Bill 379 restricts wireless communication devices from morning bell to dismissal bell, including class changes throughout the school day.

That bill also prohibits the use of certain platforms on district-owned devices and designates areas for wireless communication during instructional time.

We have a county-by-county breakdown of the rules for students when it comes to cellphones and electronic communication devices. 

Duval County

The Duval County School Board revised its “out-of-sight” cellphone policy under the Student Code of Conduct for the 2024-2025 school year.

Unless a teacher gives permission, students must keep their cellphones off, out-of-sight, and inside their bookbags or purses during class.

The change only slightly revises the previous year's policy, which allowed students to keep phones in their pockets. Now, cellphones must not be on a student's person at all.

This applies not just to cellphones but to all wireless communication devices, such as smartwatches and earbuds. The only exception to this is if a teacher provides permission.

Students risk having their devices or cellphones confiscated if the policy is violated. DCPS said a parent or guardian would have to pick up the device if it was confiscated.

The consequences are progressively more severe if a student repeatedly violates the cellphone policy.

Both the elementary and secondary Codes of Conduct can be found at www.duvalschools.org/conduct.

St. Johns County

Per the SJCSD Student Code of Conduct, students may possess cellphones at school, on buses, and at school functions. However, they must be turned off and stored in the student’s backpack, purse, locker or vehicle.

The device can not be used during the school day without administrative approval.

Students may use their cellphones and electronic devices for instructional purposes with teacher approval only (i.e. research).

Students are not permitted to listen to music, text, take pictures/videos, tape conversations, etc.

The district's Student Code of Conduct can be found at https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/schoolservices/conduct.

Clay County

The Clay County School District’s updated cellphone policy doesn't allow elementary or junior high students to use their cellphones or wireless devices during school hours.

High schoolers are only allowed to use their phones during lunch.

Students can use phones during class if a teacher permits them for instructional use.

Along with using cellphones, tablets and gaming systems, students are banned from wearing AirPods earbuds or headphones on school grounds.

In the event of a school-wide emergency, students will have access to their devices.

The district's Student Code of Conduct can be found at https://as.myoneclay.net/student-code-of-conduct.

Nassau County

All cellphones and other wireless devices (including air pods and ear buds) need to be put away and secured in a backpack, purse, or bag (out of sight) while in the classroom during instructional time unless directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes. High school students may use their devices during class transition and lunchtime.

The district's Student Code of Conduct can be found at https://www.nassau.k12.fl.us/Page/4647.

Flagler County

Students can have cellphones, iPods, tablets, and other wireless communication devices at school, on buses, and at school functions; however, a student may not use a wireless communications device during instructional time, except when a written safety or medical plan exists for a student.

Devices may be used on the school bus provided they are quiet, and the student uses headphones or other noise-canceling devices.

Failure to comply may result in the device being confiscated. Repeated failure to comply will be considered defiance of school rules.

The district's Student Code of Conduct can be found at https://www.flaglerschools.com/students-families/behavior-discipline.

Putnam County

A student can have an electronic device while the student is on school property, on school buses or in attendance at a school function.

An electronic device is any device that is powered by electricity or battery or is an accessory to such a device, which is not required by the curriculum. Such devices may include, but are not limited to, cellphones, smart watches, MP3 players, cameras, headphones, ear buds, tablets, laptops or similar devices.

Students must keep any electronic device (see list above) on their person and out of sight.

The district's Student Code of Conduct can be found at https://www.putnamschools.org/documents/students-%26-families/student-code-of-conduct/163028.

Alachua County

The district's Student Code of Conduct can be found at https://www.sbac.edu/Page/3665.

Baker County

The district's Student Code of Conduct can be found at https://www.bakerk12.org/.

Bradford County

The district's Student Code of Conduct can be found at https://www.bradfordschools.org/.

Columbia County

The district's Student Code of Conduct can be found at https://www.columbiak12.com/.

Union County

The district's Student Code of Conduct can be found at https://www.union.k12.fl.us/.