NEW PERSONAL MOBILE DEVICE POLICY FOR MCPS

NEW PERSONAL MOBILE DEVICE POLICY: CELL PHONES & SMART WATCHES

This school year, all Montgomery County Public Schools will be restricting the use of cell phones during school hours. These restrictions are in alignment with the Maryland Phone-Free School Act (HB 525). Effective August 24, 2026, all students are not permitted to utilize personal mobile devices (cell phones, tablets, e-readers, personal laptops, smart watches, smart glasses, and anything with a microphone, camera, speaker, or headphones/earbuds [including AirPods]) during the instructional day. This includes during lunch and in the hallways as students transition to class.

We believe that restricting personal mobile devices will reduce distractions to your child’s learning, support their social development through increased engagement in discussions with their peers and teachers, and promote a safer school environment.

Students may have a personal device with them on school property, but it must stay put away and unused for the entire Academic Day from the start of the instructional day until the official end of the school day. For more information, including how you can support your child, please visit the MCPS Family FAQ - Personal Mobile Devices.