Cell Phone, Personal Electronic Device, and Social Media Use in Schools

V.S.A. tit. 16, ch. 9, subch. 7

in effect

16 V.S.A. § 581 Intent

581. Intent It is the intent of the General Assembly for all students in Vermont to access the benefits of a phone- and social media-free school environment, which promotes focus, improved mental health, and increased social cohesion. Added 2025, No. 72, § 17, eff. June 27, 2025.

16 V.S.A. § 582 Definitions

582. Definitions As used in this subchapter: (1) “Cell phone” means any device capable of using cellular technology to facilitate voice service through a commercial telecommunications company, regardless of whether the device can access internet services and electronic mail. (2) “Individualized health care plan” means a written document developed by a school nurse, in collaboration with parents, students, and other relevant professionals, to outline specific health care needs and management strategies tailored to the unique health condition of a student. (3) “Parent” means a parent of a student and includes legal guardians who are legally authorized to make education decisions for the student. (4) “School” means any public school, approved independent school, or career and technical education center located in Vermont. (5) “Student” means an individual currently enrolled in or registered at a school located in Vermont, as defined under subdivision (4) of this section. Added 2025, No. 72, § 17, eff. June 27, 2025.

16 V.S.A. § 583 Student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices in schools

583. Student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices in schools (a) Model policy. (1) The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Vermont School Boards Association, the Vermont Independent School Association, and a representative from the Vermont Coalition for Phone and Social Media Free Schools, shall develop, and review at least annually, a policy to, subject to the exceptions in subdivision (2) of this subsection, prohibit student use of cell phones and non-school-issued personal electronic devices that connect to cellular networks, the internet, or have wireless capabilities at school from arrival to dismissal. (2) The model policy shall provide exceptions for students to use a cell phone or personal electronic device if such use is: (A) required as part of a student’s individualized health care plan, individualized education program, or 504 plan, which shall be documented according to applicable State and federal law; provided, however, that if such use is required to meet an international student’s special education needs or as part of a disability accommodation, and the international student does not have an individualized education program or 504 plan, the need for such use shall be documented in a manner the school deems appropriate; (B) approved by an administrator for an academic, school-sponsored athletic, or cocurricular purpose, for the most limited use reasonably possible; or (C) required for compliance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11431–11435. (b) Policy adoption. (1) Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, each school board shall develop, adopt, ensure the enforcement of, and make available in the manner described under subdivision 563(1) of this title a student cell phone and personal electronic device use policy that shall be at least as stringent as the model policy developed by the Secretary. Any school board that fails to adopt a policy shall be presumed to have adopted the most current model policy published by the Secretary. (2) Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, each approved independent school shall develop, adopt, and ensure the enforcement of a student cell phone and personal electronic device use policy that shall be at least as stringent as the model policy developed by the Secretary. Any approved independent school that fails to adopt a policy shall be presumed to have adopted the most current model policy published by the Secretary. Added 2025, No. 72, § 17, eff. June 27, 2025.

16 V.S.A. § 584 Use of social media platforms in education

584. Use of social media platforms in education Schools, school districts, and supervisory unions shall be prohibited from: (1) utilizing social media for communication with students directly unless the program or platform is approved for such communication by the school district or independent school; provided, however, that any approved communication program or platform shall allow school officials to archive all communications and prevent all communications from being edited or deleted once a communication has been sent; and (2) requiring students to use social media for out-of-school academic work, school sports, extracurricular clubs, or any other out-of-school school-sponsored activities. Added 2025, No. 72, § 17, eff. June 27, 2025.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/16/009Fetched: 10/21/2026