Policy

School cell phone bans gain momentum

A growing body of research has found that the proliferation of smart phone use among children has led to severely negative consequences.
Students at the Washington Junior High School leaving classes for the day, use the unlocking mechanism to open the bags their cell phone were sealed in during the school day, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Washington, Pa. Citing mental health, behavior and engagement as the impetus, many educators are updating cellphone policies, with a number turning to magnetically sealing pouches. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

At least four states and some of the nation’s largest cities have moved to ban or severely limit the use of smart phones in schools as elected officials consider the potential harms and distractions students face in the era of social media and constant communication.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) last week issued an executive order requiring the state Department of Education to establish guidelines for cell phone-free schools. Local school districts would be required to adopt policies banning the use of cell phones in schools by Jan. 1.

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