WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) announced that key provisions from her bipartisan REFOCUS DODEA Act, legislation aimed at prohibiting smartphone use during instructional hours in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools, have been successfully included in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee. She co-led the legislation with U.S. Senator Jim Banks (R-IN).
The provisions direct the Secretary of Defense and the Director of DoDEA to implement clear regulations banning the use of smartphones in the classroom during the school day and requiring students to store their cell phones in secure lockers, pouches, or containers during the school day to ensure that cell phones do not distract students from learning, with exceptions for emergencies and medical needs.
“Last month, I said we should ban cell phones in all K-12 schools in America, and now we have started down that path by banning cell phones in DoDEA classrooms,” said Slotkin. “With over 65,000 military children attending DoDEA schools worldwide, it’s critical students in DoDEA schools have an environment where they can focus, learn, and build meaningful relationships without the distraction of cell phones. When I introduced the REFOCUS DODEA Act the goal was straightforward: ban smartphones during class time to support academic success and mental health. Now, thanks to bipartisan work, these provisions are on track to be law.”
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