Indiana Advocates Push for School Screen Limits
The Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project seeks new legislative standards for student device use.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Secondary Education
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As of October 2026, Connor Haynes is leading the Indiana chapter of the Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project to advocate for school screen-time limitations. This effort builds on the state's existing bell-to-bell cellphone ban that took effect in July 2026.
Why it matters
Advocates are raising concerns about the impact of screen-based childhoods on student well-being. By proposing new legislation, they aim to standardize how digital tools are integrated into the classroom.
The initiative promotes a goal of 100 percent analog learning for younger students. This follows the July 2026 implementation of Indiana's statewide bell-to-bell cellphone ban.
The players
Connor Haynes
He serves as the leader of the Indiana chapter for the Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project.
Smartphone Free Childhood U.S.
This organization co-founded the Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project to advocate for reducing screen time.
Becca Schmill Foundation
This foundation co-founded the Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project to influence school technology policies.
The details
The organization, a joint effort by Smartphone Free Childhood U.S. and the Becca Schmill Foundation, recruits local leaders to provide model legislation to state lawmakers. Future proposals include establishing minimum requirements for screen exposure and creating a digital product registry.
Timeline
Connor Haynes began his leadership role with the project in the Spring of 2026.
Indiana implemented its bell-to-bell cellphone ban in July 2026.
This report was published in October 2026.
Culture Shift
The push for school screen limits mirrors the legislative trend seen in the Utah Balance Act, which regulates device usage during the school day. These initiatives represent a broader societal shift toward prioritizing analog environments in the classroom.
Parents and students may see future changes in how schools manage digital tools, including potential new opt-out options for school devices. Families should monitor state legislative sessions to see if these proposed standards become law.
The takeaway
Advocacy groups are increasingly targeting state-level policy to curb digital distraction in academic settings. Parents interested in school screen usage can check for new digital opt-out forms or district technology policies as these regulations evolve.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of Secondary Education policies across the state.
More information
For more information on the legislative agenda, visit the Indiana chapter resource site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Current Publishing.
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