For the last decade, cellphone and social media usage have increased among teens and middle schoolers. Understandably, cellphone bans and restricting cellphone use in schools have become a hot topic of debate among parents and educators.
Knowing that smartphones can be a distraction in class, along with online bullying on the rise, there has been an increase in support aimed at banning the devices, leading to heated discussions over whether smartphones have a place in class or school.
Younger Adults Agree
A new study from Pew Research shows that an increasing number of Americans support schools that want cellphone bans to go into effect. The study shows that one in four Americans now approve of a full-day cell phone ban at school. Increased support comes mostly from younger adults, ages 18-29, some of whom may have been the first students to have access to their smartphones in school. This study also shows that 57 percent of the under-30 group now support banning cell phones in middle and high school classes.
Positive Impact
As a mom of two teenagers, a middle schooler and a high schooler, I know the struggle of balancing healthy limits and inclusivity. Some of my teens’ friends have unlimited access to social media and their phones. We have chosen to implement limits and rules around screens at our house and have seen positive changes as a result. It would seem this concept would translate to school, where boundaries would be beneficial.
Supporters of phone bans agree that students’ school days would be positively impacted by limiting cell phone access and usage during the school day. Being forced to have face-to-face social interactions could help improve students’ social skills and classroom behavior.
Dr. Annete C. Anderson, Deputy Director of Johns Hopkins Center for Safety and Healthy Schools, shared in an interview last year that cell phone usage by students during school has “created all sorts of problems.” She states that students are more distracted due to social media and addiction to apps, and fights in school go viral because students record and share them online. The nonstop flow of videos, music, and games has caused not only students but society to struggle with attention and distraction.
Some state governments, including my own, chose to take the choice away from the schools and create statewide cellphone bans or restriction policies for schools. According to Education Week, 31 states and the District of Columbia now have cell phone restriction policies or bans in place.
What About Emergencies?
However, restrictions and cellphone bans in schools leave some parents asking – what about safety? According to a CNN article released in July, school shootings witnessed a significant decline in 2020 with COVID, but since then, they have been increasing steadily, with 33 shootings already reported for 2025. With the unfortunate rise of violence in schools, parents are understandably wanting to have access to their children in case of an emergency. We recently wrote at Parenting Patch about how having the ability to communicate with their child during a crisis gives comfort to many parents. Full-day cell phone bans in schools would prevent this.
Other parents voice concerns about being able to coordinate sports, work, and other after-school activities with teens. As children become older and more independent, acquiring jobs and driving, parents appreciate being able to communicate with their child about changes in schedules throughout the day. It is also worth noting that many educators now presume that all students have a phone and therefore a means to communicate changes in sports and after-school activities.
Cellophone Bans Or No Bans? Both Deserve A Discussion With Your Children
Whether you support restrictions and cellphone bans or not, it is important to provide your child with instruction and guidance on responsible screen and social media use. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends creating a plan with your child that best suits your child.
Remember, every child’s circumstance is different so even if cellphone bans go into effect, you should still address your kids’ personal smartphone habits to ensure they have a healthy balance of use and time away from their mobile devices.