Bipartisan Momentum Shifts Towards Cellphone Bans in Schools

An increasing number of states are either enacting or contemplating bans on cellphone usage in educational institutions, receiving backing from both political parties.

According to education officials, at least eight states have taken steps to limit or ban students from using cellphones in schools in the past two years.

Governors Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas, a Republican, and Gavin Newsom of California, a Democrat, have both openly endorsed cellphone bans in educational settings, despite their differing ideologies.

“Teachers recognize that (cellphones) are a significant distraction, but even more importantly, they are affecting the mental wellbeing of many of our students,” Sanders stated to reporters on Thursday.

“By collaborating, educators, administrators, and parents can establish an atmosphere where students are fully engaged in their studies, free from the distractions of smartphones and social media pressures,” he wrote.

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The motivation behind these regulations is rooted in concerns over the effects of excessive screen time on children’s mental health and increased complaints from educators about ongoing disruptions in classrooms.

Kim Whitman, co-founder of the Phone Free Schools Movement, emphasized that this issue resonates with communities regardless of their location.

“Whether you reside in a bustling city or a minor town, every child is grappling with the need for a seven-hour reprieve from the demands of devices and social media throughout the school day,” she remarked.

States that have enacted bans or limitations include California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia, with a wide variety of restrictions and methodologies in play.

In 2023, Florida took the lead with legislation mandating all public schools to prohibit cellphone use during instructional periods and to restrict access to social media via district Wi-Fi. California followed in 2024, requiring nearly 1,000 school districts to formulate their own cellphone policies by July 2026.

Other states have opted for different strategies, some encouraging districts to create their own rules or providing financing to establish storage solutions for students’ cellphones during school.

Despite increasing support for cellphone restrictions, there are parents who oppose such measures due to concerns about being able to contact their children during emergencies.

Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, warned against overly broad restrictions.

“As adults, we have yet to adequately teach our children the skills necessary to effectively manage this technology,” she argued. “Instead, we’ve merely postponed the issue and thrown them into the deep end of the pool to fend for themselves once the school day is over.”

This report includes contributions from The Associated Press.

Source: NTD News