TAMPA, Fla. — In an effort to comply with a state law passed last year, school districts across the Bay area are implementing strict cell phone policies.

What You Need To Know

  •  Hillsborough County Schools new cell phone policy requires phones to be silenced and out of sight during school hours

  •  There are some exceptions. For example, high school students may use their phone at lunch

  •  Pinellas and Pasco County Schools implemented similar policies

The Hillsborough County School District recently adopted a new cell phone policy that requires students to silence their phones and keep them out of sight throughout the school day.

However, there are a few exceptions. For example, high school students may use their phones during lunch.

The principal of Webb Middle School implemented a similar policy last year and said it has been one of the single most effective school policies.

Signs are posted in all classrooms at Webb Middle, reminding students of the strict no cell phone policy.

“When we see a cell phone, we take it,” said Principal Glenda Vinueza.

Unlike some other Hillsborough County Schools, the policy won’t be brand new to students at Webb.

“We took it upon ourselves because we felt there was a need. Middle schoolers don’t need cell phones in classrooms. If there’s an emergency, they can go up to the office, or their teacher, just like in elementary school,” Vinueza said.

She implemented the “no cell phone” policy last year when House Bill 379 became law, which states students may not have cell phones out during class time, unless instructed by a teacher.

“When they walked in, from bell to bell, there was no cell phones. Unless, again, a teacher needed it for instruction, and it worked,” said Vinueza.

“It reduced the distractions for the students, and on top of that, we did not see as many incidents in the restrooms or in the hallways without those distractions. Students weren’t able to record each other, weren’t able to communicate with each other and meet up wherever they weren’t supposed to be meeting up,” said the school’s Assistant Principal Yariel Vignau.

He said not allowing cell phones out during the school day is one of the most impactful policy changes he’s ever seen. The school even raised its grade from a “C” to a “B.”

“We do feel it played a big component in our B grade from the state and it was one of those things where, with our population of students, if we can reduce those distractions and really hone in on what we’re trying to do as a school, it’s only going to help,” said Vignau.

Both Vignau and Vinueza said they’ve seen fewer behavior issues, more students socializing face-to-face, and the higher school grade since implementing the cell phone policy. All reasons they say they’ll never go back.

Pinellas and Pasco County Schools passed similar policies earlier this summer.