5 things to know about cell phone bans in schools

Editor’s Note: To watch the full discussion about cell phones, students and schools on “Raising America,” click here.

(The Hill) — More and more U.S. students will be entering cell phone-free zones this year as states and school districts have implemented restrictions either in the classroom or the moment a child enters the building.  

Increased punishments, Yondr pouches and teacher collection baskets are just some of the ways school leaders have tried to reduce phone access, arguing they are a distraction and stymie social and academic growth.  

While the number of schools taking action has quickly risen across the country, opponents voice objections, including personal freedom for students and safety concerns in an emergency.

Here’s what to know:

Where are cell phone bans happening? 

At least 22 states have signed legislation regarding cell phone policies in K-12 schools, while some districts or schools have also acted on their own.  

But not all the restrictions look the same.  

States such as New York and Arkansas have implemented bell-to-bell cell phone bans, meaning students lack access to their phones the whole school day. Others, including Kentucky and Tennessee, have implemented instructional time bans, allowing students to use their phones between classes or at lunch.  

“New York was the first state to target addictive social media feeds — and now we’re the largest state to restrict smartphones in schools throughout the entire school day,” Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said. “I know our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why New York continues to lead the nation on protecting our kids in the digital age.” 

California and Arizona have laws requiring schools to create guidance around cell phone usage, and almost a dozen other states are considering legislation around cell phones in schools.  

It is hard to know the exact number of schools that have cell phone bans as even states without restrictions on the books let individual school districts decide if they want to enact strict bell-to-bell bans.  

How are the policies implemented?

Implementation of cell phone restrictions varies by district.  

The strictest districts have taken to using some version of a Yondr bag, a container that students must put their phones in at the beginning of the day that locks it inside. At the end of the day, there is a device where students can scan the bags, and the phones are released.  

But not all districts have the resources to invest in hard prevention methods, with some opting for teachers to collect phones either at the beginning of the day or before class starts.

Other responses have been as simple as increasing punishments if a student is caught with a cell phone, such as taking the phone or detention.  

What pushed the surge in cell phone bans?

A combination of factors led to a sweeping push to get phones out of young students’ hands.  

The Wait Until 8^th campaign wants parents to pledge they won’t give their children cell phones until after 8^th grade, hoping it will take societal pressure off others to give students cell phones younger than that.

“Parents can join together with other parents in their community and let kids be kids a little longer,” Mark SooHoo, an organizer for Wait Until 8^th, told The Hill’s “Raising America,” which he joined for a discussion on the debate over cell phones and schools.  

Studies have emerged showing decreased academic performance and social interaction among children with increased cell phone usage.  

Reliance on cell phones has also created trouble in the classroom as teachers compete for student attention with the screens, along with concerns that students could cheat or bully others with their devices.  

What is the opposition to cell phone bans?

One of the main concerns for parents is the lack of access to their children, especially during tragic events such as school shootings.  

Another is personal freedom, as students and some parents argue schools should not be able to take away devices they have not paid for, and it should be up to the guardians’ decision. 

While some have suggested students could have Apple Watches or other devices that give more limited access to texting capabilities, economic concerns also come into play.  

“One thing I would also like to point out there are economic differences,” Annette Anderson, deputy director of Johns Hopkins’ Center for Safe and Healthy Schools, told “Raising America’s” Elizabeth Prann during the discussion.

Higher income students “probably have a tablet, they probably have a laptop,” while others “have a higher degree of reliance on their smart phones.” 

“There is some dissonance in how these cell phones bans are applied” between wealthier and poorer schools, she added.  

Others suggest schools should be the place where students learn how to be more responsible with their technology, and teachers should be giving instructions on how to make phones an asset and not a detriment in life.  

“We need more civility and teaching digital character education,” Anderson said.  

What’s next?

More cell phone bans, likely. 

As more and more states move on cell phone ban legislation, it is unlikely to see the trend reversed.  

The real story will be in a few years when data and stories from school districts with cell phone bans emerge and the impact of students’ academic and social performance is seen.  

This experiment could shape the future of the K-12 classrooms at a time when the world is becoming more reliant on technology in the workforce.