As the new school year begins, an increasing number of states and school districts are implementing stringent restrictions or outright bans on cellphone usage during school hours. This shift comes as growing evidence suggests that constant internet connectivity is negatively impacting students’ mental health.
In Los Angeles, the nation’s second-largest school district, the school board voted in June to prohibit cellphone use during school hours. Similarly, Clark County, Nevada, will require middle and high school students to store their phones in pouches throughout the day starting this fall. Several states, including Indiana, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Florida, have passed legislation to limit cellphone access during the school day. Governors in at least three other states, including Virginia, have called for similar restrictions, while some states have provided funding to support these policies.
A review by The Washington Post revealed that out of the 20 largest school districts in the country, at least seven have already banned cellphone use during the school day, or plan to do so, while another seven have implemented significant restrictions, such as prohibiting phone use during class but allowing it during lunch or between classes.
The push for these restrictions is largely driven by concerns from teachers and parents who view cellphones as distractions that hinder learning and contribute to declining mental health among students. New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks, whose district is planning to announce a cellphone ban soon, highlighted the widespread support for such measures, stating, “Everybody has been saying, ‘Take the phones.’ It is a major problem.”
A federal survey conducted in 2021 found that 43 percent of high schools and 77 percent of middle schools prohibited nonacademic use of cellphones during school hours. Experts believe these numbers have since increased significantly.
Policies across schools vary. For instance, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg district in North Carolina allows students to bring cellphones to school but mandates they be kept in silent mode and forbids noninstructional use. In Houston, phones must be turned off, and in Duval County, Florida, students are required to stow their phones away during class. Violations of these policies often result in confiscation, with repeated offenses sometimes leading to more severe consequences, such as suspension or exclusion from extracurricular activities.
More restrictive policies, like those requiring students to store their phones in locking pouches during the entire school day, are also becoming more common. Yondr, a company that sells such pouches, reported a significant increase in demand, projecting that they will serve over 2 million students by the end of the year.
In Los Angeles, Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho expressed concern over the impact of smartphones on students’ well-being, noting that the constant connection to social media and other online content is distracting students from learning and eroding their mental health.
The trend toward banning cellphones marks a return to earlier policies. Before smartphones became widespread, schools typically prohibited their use, viewing them as distractions. However, as educational apps and programs became available, many schools relaxed these restrictions, allowing phones to be used for learning purposes. The pandemic further entrenched the role of cellphones in education, as they became essential tools for virtual learning. But now, with increasing concerns about the negative effects of cellphone dependency, schools are reverting to stricter policies.
Advocates for phone-free schools have gained momentum. In October, a group of academics and advocates urged Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to encourage schools to adopt such policies. Additionally, a bipartisan Senate bill proposes a $5 million grant program to cover the costs of secure phone storage during the school day.
In a 2023 advisory, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy warned that social media, often accessed through cellphones, poses a direct threat to mental health, particularly for teenage girls. He suggested creating “tech-free” zones to mitigate these risks.
Research supports the benefits of limiting cellphone use. A 2022 study conducted at the New York Institute of Technology found that students who spent time without their phones experienced lower anxiety levels, better course comprehension, and higher mindfulness. These positive outcomes are likely to be even more pronounced among K-12 students.
Teachers, who see firsthand the impact of cellphone distractions, are among the strongest advocates for these policies. A Pew Research Center survey in fall 2023 found that 72 percent of high school teachers consider cellphone distractions a “major problem” in their classrooms. The National Education Association has encouraged its members to negotiate local policies that restrict access to personal devices during the school day.
In Cleveland, the teachers union successfully advocated for a student cellphone ban as part of its latest contract negotiations. The new policy requires administrators to collect student cellphones before they enter classrooms, addressing concerns about distractions and the use of phones to perpetuate violence.
While these restrictions have generally been met with support, there has been some pushback from students and parents. Concerns about communication during emergencies, such as school shootings, have been raised. However, advocates argue that students can still use phones in school offices when necessary, and they emphasize that school shootings remain rare.
In Florida, two different approaches illustrate the ongoing debate. The state enacted a law requiring public schools to ban cellphone use during class time and block access to social media on district WiFi networks. However, individual districts can decide whether students can use phones during lunch and between classes. In Hillsborough County, middle and elementary schools have stricter policies, while high schools allow phone use during lunch. Meanwhile, Orange County Public Schools have implemented a full ban across all grades.
Despite initial resistance, many students have adapted quickly to these changes. For instance, Timber Creek High School in Orange County saw a significant drop in daily phone confiscations after implementing its ban. The school also introduced lunchtime activities, such as pickleball and DJ sessions, to help students adjust.
As schools across the country grapple with the challenges posed by cellphone use, the debate over the right balance between technology and education continues. While the restrictions are often controversial, they reflect a growing recognition of the need to protect students’ mental health and ensure that schools remain focused on learning.