"Today's action means that Massachusetts is one step closer to making schools cell phone-free," said Senate President Karen Spilka and Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education in a statement.

Supporters have argued the devices in school distract students and encourage heavy use of social media, contributing to a growing mental health crisis among the nation’s youth.

Massachusetts moved a bit closer to implementing a statewide cellphone ban in public schools this week, with the Senate preparing a vote this month. Why it matters: If the House agrees to the ban, all public schools would implement cellphone restrictions by the 2026-27 school year.