Students face new cellphone restrictions in 17 states as school year begins
5 days ago
- #education
- #student-mental-health
- #cellphone-policy
- Students in 17 states and D.C. face new cellphone restrictions as the school year begins, bringing the total to 35 states with such policies.
- Restrictions vary by state, with some banning phones throughout the school day, others only during class time, and some mandating districts create their own policies.
- Students report mixed feelings, acknowledging benefits like increased focus but missing perks like listening to music during independent work.
- Parents express concerns about safety and communication, wanting better coordination with schools on policies.
- Teachers report fewer disruptions and more positive student interactions under phone bans, though research on mental health and academic impacts remains inconclusive.
- Some states, like Wyoming and Michigan, have rejected or struggled to pass phone restriction laws due to debates over local control and parental responsibility.