ALBANY - The state cellphone ban in schools doesn't start until September, but Albany is leaping in now. The city school district announced that it would start the ban during summer school.

As a bill banning cell phones in public schools picks up steam on Beacon Hill, parents and advocates against early smartphone use are speaking out in favor as well.

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.