Kansas HB 2299 bans phones and smartwatches in K-12 schools starting fall 2026, leaving districts to cover storage costs up to $180,000.

At least one Kansas district is projecting $150,000 to $180,000 just to equip secondary students with individual phone lockers, according to the Wichita Eagle. The state provided zero dedicated funding. Every dollar comes from local budgets.

Districts choosing fabric locking pouches — think Yondr, the magnetic-lock system concert venues use to keep audiences present — face an estimated $30 per unit. Statewide, the Kansas Division of the Budget put that figure at roughly $13.4 million if every student received one, according to the Lawrence KS Times. Lockers require a steeper upfront investment. Neither option came with a state check attached.

Legislators passed the policy. The price tag was someone else’s problem.

  • TrackinDaKrakenEnglish
    388·
    11 days ago

    They could just leave them at home. I mean that worked just fine literally forever until these last two generations.

    But, since both parents and kids are now addicted to the damn things, no one can imagine not having one in their hand for more than five minutes.

    • Diurnambule@jlai.luEnglish
      111·
      10 days ago

      Worked so well, let’s avoid looking at the states of the world… Just install parental control and look the phone during their school time like a fucking responsible parent…

      • NalivaiEnglish
        92·
        10 days ago

        Or better yet, teach your kid responsible usage and live them alone.

        • Diurnambule@jlai.luEnglish
          31·
          10 days ago

          Seem legit, didn’t take in account that kid dont’ hâve a fully developed brain and capitalists know that and exploit that. Sure be a good parent and let capitalist pedo teach your kids without supervisions, what a great idea.

          • NalivaiEnglish
            12·
            10 days ago

            You might be loosing a grip here a bit

            • Diurnambule@jlai.luEnglish
              1·
              9 days ago

              Why because I don’t want n d to be influenced and broken by FB and other crazy shit ?

          • NalivaiEnglish
            1·
            9 days ago

            I tought people computers for some time. As long as there is some motivation, you can teach an 80 years old violin teacher to patch Linux drivers and recompile kernel.

    • bluGill@fedia.io
      62·
      10 days ago

      It worked, but not well. I remember standing in line for 20 minutes waiting on the one phone to call my parents so they knew my after school activity was done. (while other students were calling their parents).

    • Flames5123@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      42·
      10 days ago

      When your phone is your GPS and radio, no. I was in band, and some days we wouldn’t leave school afterwards because we’d be going to a game across the state. After the game, my mom would want to know where I was, which was usually Waffle House with a dozen others.