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I have not given, received, or used any unauthorized assistance. This work is mine. 

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I have not given, received, or used any unauthorized assistance. This work is mine. 

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More students head back to class without one crucial thing: their phones.

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More students head back to class without one crucial thing: their phones.

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The NPR news article titled “More students head back to class without one crucial thing: their phones” was published on September 1, 2025. Appearing on the NPR website, it reports on the growing trend of states banning cell phones in schools to improve focus and classroom engagement.

"As students across the country head back to class, one thing won't be coming with many of them: their cell phones. This year more states than ever are banning students' devices during school hours."

"Stegner thinks it will be a learning curve not just for teachers and students. His school has already been fielding calls from anxious parents worried about not being able to contact their kids throughout the day."

"It's not the worst because it's my last year," George says. "But at the same time it's my last year." She's sad she won't get to take pictures and videos of her friends throughout the day, it feels like she won't have memories like she does from her other years of school.”

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More students head back to class without one crucial thing: their phones

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This back to school season, more districts than ever have cell phone bans in place. Teachers and legislators alike say the restrictions help kids focus in class.

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What's behind the ban on cell phones in K-12 schools?

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What's behind the ban on cell phones in K-12 schools?

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A growing number of states and school districts are implementing bans or restrictions on student cell phone use in K-12 settings, often citing concerns about distractions, student engagement, and mental health.

Interviews with experts Carol Vidal and Annette Anderson emphasize that while smartphone use may correlate with mental health issues, the relationship is complex, and banning devices is proposed as one part of promoting healthier behaviors.

Logistical and social challenges of enforcement and cautions that strict bans may provoke resistance or work-arounds

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What’s behind the ban on cell phones in K-12 schools?

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Hopkins experts explain the research and weigh in on the controversial policies

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Should Schools Ban cell phones why or why not?

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Should Schools Ban cell phones why or why not?

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Yes - Research indicates that cell phone use in class is linked to lower grades, higher anxiety, and more incidents of bullying. Schools should ban cell phones because they are a major source of distraction, reducing students’ focus during lessons and hindering learning. Excessive phone use can negatively affect mental health, contributing to anxiety, depression, and social comparison. Banning phones encourages face-to-face interaction, fostering stronger communication and collaboration skills among students. It also reduces opportunities for cyberbullying and inappropriate content exposure during school hours. Without phones, students are more likely to engage fully in classroom activities, complete assignments efficiently, and develop better study habits. Overall, removing cell phones supports a safer, more focused, and academically productive learning environment.

No - Schools should not ban cell phones because they can be valuable tools for learning, organization, and communication. Phones allow students to access educational apps, research information quickly, and manage schedules or assignments efficiently. In emergencies, having a phone ensures immediate contact with parents or authorities. Banning devices may also create resentment or reduce student autonomy, potentially making enforcement difficult and distracting from learning. Additionally, teaching responsible phone use helps prepare students for real-world expectations, where digital literacy and self-regulation are essential. Rather than banning phones, schools can implement guidelines that balance technology use with academic focus and safety.

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Why School Cellphone Bans Are a Bad Idea (Opinion)

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We cannot ignore the powerful relationship between students and their phones—and what they mean for equity in our most challenged schools.

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A balanced solution to the cell phone debate is implementing structured phone policies rather than outright bans. Schools can designate specific times and areas for phone use, such as during lunch or study periods, while requiring devices to be stored during lessons. Educators can teach digital responsibility, emphasizing self-regulation, online safety, and mindful use. Technology can also be integrated into lessons to enhance learning rather than distract. Clear communication with students and parents ensures consistent expectations and accountability. This approach maintains access to the benefits of phones while minimizing distractions, promoting both academic focus and digital literacy in a realistic, practical way.

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Take Cellphones Out of the Classroom, Educators Say | NEA

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Across the country, a 'teacher-led movement' is demanding new cellphone policies to curb the constant distractions and disruptions to learning.

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“Despite the evidence-gap on the benefits of reduced social media time, governments are implementing or considering bans on smartphones in schools to improve adolescent wellbeing, mental health and educational outcomes.”

This suggests that even without clear proof, policymakers are acting on concerns about smartphones’ impact on students’ mental health and learning.

“As expected, participants in schools with restrictive policies reported less phone use during the school day (by about 30 min), but compensated for this when outside of school, so overall there was no evidence of a difference in screen time or social media time on weekdays or weekends.”

This reveals that while phone bans reduce use during school, students tend to make up for it afterward and showing limited overall impact on screen time.

“Despite this lack of effects, phone bans in school might be an appropriate intervention to benefit school functioning and educational engagement.”

This implies that even if phone bans don’t reduce total screen time, they may still improve focus, participation, and the overall learning environment.

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Smartphone use and mental health: going beyond school restriction policies

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Smartphone and social media use are plausibly associated with poorer mental health outcomes among adolescents, with likely mechanisms including: increased access to cyberbullying and views supportive of eating disorders, suicide, and self-harm1; impaired cognitive functions2; unhealthy social comparisons3; and displacement of healthy behaviours (sleep, exercise, in-person social interactions).4 However, the epidemiological evidence for a causal association is weak,5,6 as most studies are ecological and/or cross-sectional, showing correlation rather than causation and not adjusting for potential confounders.6 The associations between social media use and mental health are likely complex and bidirectional,7 and there is little causal evidence to date that reducing the time spent on social media will improve mental health and wellbeing.6

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A July 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that support for banning cellphones in schools has grown among Americans. About 74% of U.S. adults now favor restrictions on student cellphone use in middle and high school classrooms, up from 68% the previous year. Support for full-day bans also rose to 44%, compared with 36% last fall, while 46% still oppose complete bans. Many respondents believe banning phones could improve students’ social skills, behavior, and academic performance, though fewer think it would enhance safety. Opinions vary by age, race, and political affiliation, with younger adults and Black adults more likely to view such bans as too extreme.

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Americans’ support for school cellphone bans has ticked up since last year

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More than four-in-ten Americans (44%) back bans on student cellphone use during the entire school day, up from 36% last fall.

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Many U.S. states are restricting or banning student cellphone use in schools, but “there has been little rigorous research so far into the effectiveness of these policies”

A teacher-survey project (led by Angela Duckworth and others) looking at teachers’ perceptions of cellphone policy effects (e.g., focus, storage of phones).

A district-level empirical study in Florida (led by David Figlio and Umut Özek) that looks at student test scores, attendance, and suspension rates before and after a statewide ban

From the teacher survey: More stringent storage policies (phones locked up/out of student possession) correlate with teachers reporting more focused classrooms. For example: “physical distance creates psychological distance” in reference to phones stored away.

From the Florida study: In schools where cellphone usage had been high pre-ban, the ban was associated with a modest improvement in test scores (≈ 0.6 percentile points overall; ≈ 1.1 percentile for certain comparisons) and improved attendance, especially reductions in unexcused absences

The article ends by pointing out that while the early findings are promising, they are preliminary, there are unanswered questions (e.g., how storage vs. usage vs. enforcement matter), and policymakers should be aware of potential unintended consequences (suspension rises, equity issues)

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Do School Cellphone Bans Work? What Early Findings Tell Us

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A pair of research projects look at the impact on discipline and academic achievement.

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The article explains that several states, in particular New York, are joining a growing number of jurisdictions implementing restrictions on student cellphone use during the school day.

The stated goals of these policies include: helping students focus on learning, improving classroom engagement, and supporting mental-health by reducing distraction and exposure to cyberbullying

The article draws on research from the Digital Wellness Lab (Boston Children’s) suggesting that reducing phone use during school can lift academic performance, promote face-to-face interaction, and lessen exposure to online peer conflict.

When phones are away or unused, students look up more, interact more with peers and teachers

The article claims that removing phones creates space for peer and teacher relationships, recess/play, class discussion.

Less exposure to constant social-media notifications, online conflict, and risk of cyber-bullying

The article then turns to what parents can do to support the transition, including:

1. Talk openly with their child about the change, validate feelings, discuss the “why” behind the policy.

2. Partner with the child’s school: use school-owned devices or non-tech options when needed

3. Model balanced phone use at home.

4. Plan for emergencies: ensure the child and parent know how to contact the school and each other through main office if needed

5. Encourage offline downtime: hobbies, sports, social activities not screen-based.

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Cell Phone Bans in Schools: What Parents Need to Know

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Cell Phone Bans in Schools: What Parents Need to Know New York is joining a growing list of states banning student cell phone use during the school day.