Should cellphones be banned in schools?
Image: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times
A growing number of school districts across the US are cracking down on the use of cellphones among students – though some efforts have received significant pushback from parents.
- In recent years, eight states have passed policies banning or restricting cellphones in K-12 classrooms due to concerns over student distractions and cyberbullying, while similar legislation has also been introduced in 14 other states.
- Lawmakers pushing for cellphone bans in schools cite data indicating 70+% of high-school teachers across the country say cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom, while 9 in 10 schools report cases of cyberbullying among students.
On the flip side: Some lawmakers, parents, and school officials have pushed back against banning cellphones in classrooms, with many stressing the importance of allowing students to stay connected in the event of an emergency.
- Earlier this month, New York City Schools – the largest public school district in America with 1.1 million students – reversed course on its plan to ban cellphones in schools starting next year, citing concerns from parents who struggled to reach their children during a recent school lockdown.
- Overall, 78% of parents want their children to have cellphone access during the school day in case of an emergency, per a National Parents Union survey published last month.
What does the science say? Short answer: it’s complicated. The primary concern amongst policymakers is addressing students’ academic performance and mental health – and there’s mixed evidence that school cellphone bans have much direct impact. Some studies show a clear improvement in student performance and mental health, while others not so much.
On Capitol Hill: House lawmakers recently introduced a bipartisan bill – the Focus on Learning Act – aimed at studying the impact of cellphone use on students’ academic and mental health, along with other potential methods to address the issue outside of a blanket cellphone ban in schools.
đź“Š Flash poll: In your opinion, should students be banned from having cellphones in K-12 schools?
See a 360° view of what media pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some analysts argue that the insurmountable evidence pointing to cell phones as a distraction and social media as a source of depression among youth makes cellphone bans a no-brainer and that at some point we will look back and wonder why they were not implemented sooner.
- Others contend that cell phones have made desocializing and not engaging with people around us much more common, and that cellphone bans are a key first step in resolving a much wider problem.
- “Editorial: Yes, more schools should ban student cellphones.” –LA Times Editorial Board
- “Editorial: Banning phones in schools is a great first step.” –Times Colonist Editorial Board
- “Additional state schools wisely limiting student access to cellphones.” –Denise Johnson, The Minnesota Star Tribune
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that New York reversing its course on cell phone bans is a step backward and that whether or not parents can contact their kids or not during an emergency is irrelevant because the schools are already designed to keep them safe.
- Others contend that parents have a responsibility outside of the classroom and should discourage the use of electronic devices at home to improve their child’s quality of life as opposed to fretting about being able to call them during an emergency.
- “Show the courage to keep cellphone ban in NYC schools.” –NY Post Editorial Board
- “Schools must limit kids’ use of phones. But parents need courage to go a step further.” –Fort-Worth Star-Telegram Editorial Board
- “Ban cellphones in Texas public schools.” –Dallas Morning News Editorial Board
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