New law bans cellphones in public schools through 8th grade

Rep. Jorge Navarro Suárez

By The Star Staff

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has signed into law House Bill 185-2025, which prohibits students in Puerto Rico’s public schools from using personal electronic devices, such as cellphones, through eighth grade.

Rep. Jorge Navarro Suárez, the bill’s sponsor, thanked the governor for approving the measure, calling it a step toward improving education and student well-being.

“I deeply appreciate the Governor for recognizing the importance of this initiative and signing it into law,” Navarro Suárez said in a written statement. “Excessive cellphone use in schools has become a barrier to learning and socialization. With Law 185-2025, we restore focus on education and protect the mental health and development of our students.”

The legislator emphasized that the law is not an arbitrary ban but a tool to reclaim instructional time and foster healthier school environments.

“By eliminating digital distractions during these formative years, we are investing in the academic future of our youth,” he said. “Today, students, teachers, and public education in Puerto Rico all win.”

The governor previously vetoed an earlier version of the bill. The revised law includes exceptions negotiated with the executive branch. Under the law, devices may be used for educational purposes under direct supervision, in emergencies requiring communication with parents or emergency services, and when reasonable accommodations are approved for health or disability reasons, supported by a licensed physician’s recommendation.