Gov. DeSantis gives teachers authority to limit social media use in classrooms: 'Just common sense'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed several bills impacting education into law Tuesday, limiting students' social media use in classrooms and protecting teachers who report administrators.

"It gives teachers the authority to establish classroom rules on cell phone and device use during instructional time," DeSantis said at a signing ceremony Tuesday, adding that teachers could still allow students to check their phones before class.

Previous laws block classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity for all grades, bars the availability of certain sexual books in school libraries and prevents students and teachers from being required to use certain pronouns. DeSantis also signed a law that prohibits diversity, equity and inclusion programs in state colleges.