WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 21, 2026 – Leading child safety and well-being organizations, The Anxious Generation Movement, Smartphone Free Childhood US, Institute for Families and Technology, and Becca Schmill Foundation, today announced that Mississippi maintained its “F” grade on the national Phone-Free Schools State Report Card for failing to pass a law during the 2026 legislative session.
Mississippi is one of only two states to receive a failing grade for the second legislative year in a row – leaving students in the state without a mandatory baseline for distraction-free learning. Multiple bills were introduced this session, including S.B. 2099 which passed the state Senate and would have required Mississippi schools to develop policies to restrict cell phone use during class time.
“Mississippi students deserve classrooms free from the constant distractions and negative mental health impacts of smartphone use,” said Emily Rapp, policy director for the Institute for Families and Technology. “We are disappointed Mississippi once again failed to pass a phone-free schools law, especially given the state’s commitment to passing kids online safety measures this session.”
“We commend the Mississippi lawmakers who introduced and cosponsored various phone-free schools bills this session,” said Deb Schmill, founder of the Becca Schmill Foundation. “As momentum behind phone-free schools policies continues to grow, we remain committed to working with leaders in Mississippi to advance evidence-based solutions that support healthy, distraction-free learning environments.”
Under the Report Card’s criteria, an “A” grade is awarded when legislation requires all personal electronic devices to be stored in secure, inaccessible locations throughout the entire school day, or from “bell-to-bell.” Bell-to-bell policies are proven to enhance academic performance, improve students’ mental and physical health, increase teacher satisfaction, protect student safety and privacy, and deepen school community relationships.
More information about Mississippi’s grade can be found here.
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About the Phone-Free Schools Report Card
Launched in 2026, the Phone-Free Schools State Report Card is published by leading child safety and well-being organizations, including The Anxious Generation Movement, Smartphone Free Childhood US, Institute for Families and Technology, and Becca Schmill Foundation. The report evaluates whether the laws in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., meet the gold standard for phone-free schools: policies requiring all students to store their personal electronic devices in secure, inaccessible locations for the entire school day (bell-to-bell).