Cellphone Ban in Classrooms: Opinions of Students and Teachers

A recent analysis by Pew Research Center suggests that cellphones and high school education may not be a good combination, especially as more and more schools consider implementing smartphone bans to address distractions.

In a significant move, the Los Angeles Unified School District, one of the largest school districts in the country, decided to prohibit the use of cell phones and social media platforms during school hours. Similarly, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has pushed for legislation to ban smartphones in schools, citing concerns about their addictive qualities.

Recent legislative actions in three states have led to bans or restrictions on cell phone use within school premises, with Florida being the pioneer in implementing such measures back in 2023.

According to the fall 2023 Pew study, 72% of high school teachers surveyed believe that cellphone usage in classrooms can be distracting for students. The study also revealed that 82% of K-12 schools and districts in the U.S. have preexisting cellphone policies, but enforcement remains a challenge in 30% of these institutions.

Middle school teachers (33%) and elementary school teachers (6%) expressed concerns about the pervasive and attention-grabbing nature of handheld devices among students.

Interestingly, student perspectives diverged from those of teachers, with 70% of students aged 13-17 viewing phone usage positively in classroom settings.

Among the student respondents, 45% believed that smartphones enhanced their educational experience, while 23% found them to be a hindrance and 30% reported no noticeable impact.

Prohibiting Smartphones:States Contemplate Cell Phone Bans in Schools Alongside District Regulations

Which States Have Enforced Cell Phone Bans in Schools?

Not all restrictions are uniform: Some schools permit phone use during certain times, such as lunch breaks and in between classes, while others enforce a complete ban within school premises.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb recently signed a bill mandating school districts to restrict cell phone use during instructional hours. In a similar vein, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine endorsed a bill in May that mandates school districts to formulate policies governing cell phone usage during school hours.

Other states, including Oklahoma, Washington, Kansas, Vermont, and Connecticut, have also proposed comparable legislation.