Columbia, SC — South Carolina could become the next state to limit cellphone use in schools. The state’s Board of Education is expected to approve guidelines on Tuesday, limiting student phone access. While cellphone bans are already in place across many schools, state leaders say enforcement remains inconsistent. 

The budget provision item would cause any school district that does not follow the plan to lose state funding. The effort is part of a broader push by states across the country to address digital distractions in the classroom and the impacts of social media on the mental health of teens. 

A recent survey of high school teachers in the state found that 83% felt cellphone use distracted their students. 

The renewed attention to the issue comes as the U.S. surgeon general calls on Congress to require warning labels on social media platforms that address mental health risks for young people.

The South Carolina Department of Education hopes to implement the policy in all schools by January.