Utah Passes New Education Laws Focused on Reducing Student Phone Use and Boosting Literacy

Governor Spencer Cox signs bills aimed at getting students to read more books and spend less time on social media

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:24am

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration of a stack of classic children's books repeated in a grid, conceptually representing the emphasis on literacy in Utah's new education initiatives.Utah's new education laws aim to get students reading more books and engaging less with social media and digital distractions.Eden Today

Utah Governor Spencer Cox has signed a series of new education laws that focus on reducing student use of cellphones and social media during the school day, while also investing in programs to improve literacy and digital skills. The laws include a statewide ban on cellphones during the full school day, a $16 million investment in early literacy programs, and a new tax on social media companies that will fund youth sports, recreation, and mental health initiatives.

Why it matters

These new education laws in Utah reflect growing concerns about the negative impacts of excessive screen time and social media use on student learning and well-being. By limiting phone and social media access, the state hopes to encourage more face-to-face interaction and reading among students. The literacy and digital skills initiatives also aim to ensure Utah students are developing essential academic and technological competencies.

The details

The new laws signed by Governor Cox include a default policy prohibiting cellphones during the full school day, though individual schools can opt out. There is also a $16 million investment to boost early literacy among K-3 students, after a report showed nearly half of Utah's third-graders are not reading at grade level. Another law creates a required digital skills course for 7th and 8th graders to help them safely navigate online spaces. The state also passed a 4.7% tax on social media companies that collect user data for targeted advertising, with the revenue going towards youth programs.

  • The new education laws were passed during Utah's most recent legislative session.
  • Governor Cox ceremoniously signed the bills on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Valley Elementary School in Eden, Utah.

The players

Governor Spencer Cox

The Governor of Utah who championed and signed the new education laws.

Abby Cox

The First Lady of Utah who spoke at the bill signing event about the importance of reducing student screen time and increasing reading.

Rep. Jordan Teuscher

The South Jordan Republican who sponsored the bill creating a required digital skills course for 7th and 8th graders.

Rep. Ariel Defay

The Kaysville Republican who sponsored legislation limiting the use of artificial intelligence technology in elementary school classrooms.

Valley Elementary School

The school in Eden, Utah where Governor Cox ceremoniously signed the new education bills.

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What they’re saying

“As we've seen social media uptick over the last decade, we've seen literacy decline, and that is not unrelated, and we need to make sure that, as we've done as a state, pull that out of the classrooms, out of the hands of kids, and get us reading again.”

— Abby Cox, First Lady of Utah

“One of the reasons that we're number one is because we have one of the best education systems in the state. One of the reasons we have one of the best education systems in the state is because we have the best teachers in the state.”

— Governor Spencer Cox

“One of the areas that was lacking was helping kids understand how to navigate in this important space. I hope none of you get on social media anytime soon. If you can hold out until after you're adults, that is way better, and you're going to be healthier and happier and stronger. But for those that are getting involved in that, how can they safely navigate there?”

— Rep. Jordan Teuscher, Bill Sponsor

“In Utah we don't like raising taxes, right? We want to keep taxes as low as we possibly can. But in this case, when you see that there's opportunities where we need to get less of something, the best thing that we can do is tax it.”

— Rep. Jordan Teuscher, Bill Sponsor

“And then as you move on to junior high and high school, there'll be more and more and more technology, because it will be important for you to use technology and to navigate it, but in a very balanced way.”

— Rep. Ariel Defay, Bill Sponsor

What’s next

The new education laws will go into effect at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Schools across Utah will begin implementing the cellphone ban, digital skills courses, and other initiatives aimed at reducing student screen time and boosting literacy.

The takeaway

Utah's new education laws represent a significant shift towards prioritizing student well-being and academic fundamentals over the distractions of technology. By limiting cellphones, taxing social media, and investing in literacy programs, the state is taking bold steps to ensure its students are prepared for success in the digital age while also maintaining a healthy balance between the virtual and real world.