The charge against cell phones in U.S. schools is growing, with numerous states bringing in restrictions on children having devices on them during education hours.
Proponents of tighter cell restrictions in schools argue that it benefits student attainment and improves mental health.
But some have raised safety concerns, highlighting that bans could prevent students from contacting family members during an emergency, and argue that promoting healthier device use could better teach children to manage their screen time.
Educators are largely behind restrictions being put in place. According to the Pew Research Center polling data released in June 2024, 72 percent of high school teachers say phone distractions are a major problem.
The growing resistance to phones on school grounds has been burgeoning since Florida enacted statewide changes in elementary and middle schools in 2023. Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 379, a move that was unanimously supported by both state chambers.
Virginia is the latest state to join the throng, with Governor Glenn Youngkin signing a bill that requires "bell-to-bell" cell phone-free classrooms across Virginia's public K-12 schools. It joins 13 other states that have statewide bans or restrictions on phone usage throughout the school day.
Now, 14 states have active laws or executive orders that ban or restrict cell phone use in schools. These are:
Other states, including California, Oregon, and Washington, to name a few, have guidelines in place for school districts about limiting the use of phones by students during education hours.
Other states -- Pennsylvania, Delaware and Arkansas -- have similarly not put outright bans in place, but are actively encouraging school districts through funding mechanisms to adopt policies that result less phone usage. All three states have implemented plans to provide lockable cell phone pouches that students can use during instructional hours.
Arkansas, however, may be implementing a more thorough ban soon. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders earlier this year announced a bill that would ban smartphones and other personal electronic devices like smart watches from every single public school in the state, citing "unrestricted access to smartphones and social media" as a cause of worsening mental health in young people.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said at the ceremonial bill signing, "By signing these bills, our statewide policy will be the law. School should be a place of learning and human interaction -- free from the distractions and classroom disruptions of cellphone and social media use. Our students will learn more and be healthier and safer."
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders: "We have seen a staggering rise in mental illness among young people over the past decade. The culprit is clear: unrestricted access to smartphones and social media. After the overwhelming success of our phone-free schools pilot program, it's clear that it's time for Arkansas to ban smartphones, bell to bell, in every school in our state."
Dr. Isha Metzger, associate professor at Georgia State University who researches youth mental health, told Newsweek: "From a mental health perspective, it's important to recognize that while cell phones can be a source of distraction, they can also be tools for connection, support, and safety. Schools that take a balanced approach to promoting digital literacy, healthy cell phone habits (including teaching students how to regulate their phone use), and mental health awareness will likely create more positive, inclusive learning environments in the long run."
Andrea Lovanhill, CEO of non-profit Committee for Children, told Newsweek: "Technology is often a double-edged sword, presenting opportunity and risk, and phones are no exception. They can either be a tool or a trap. On the plus side, they open up a world of digital tools for creativity, productivity, and connection -- from learning apps to collaborative platforms -- that can make classroom activities interactive and engaging. But there can be a real downside. Phones and other personal devices are notorious for pulling attention away from learning, even when they're turned off."
Whether more states decide to limit or ban phone usage in schools remains to be seen, particularly when the new academic year begins in August and September 2025.