Cellphones have no place in school, and that’s the message echoed across many campuses as students return this fall amid some of the strictest smartphone bans seen in over a decade.

The push for stricter rules comes as educators, lawmakers, and some students express concerns that cellphones are a major distraction impacting both academic success and mental wellbeing.

“Cellphones function like a drug, and kids easily become addicted,” stated Deputy Dave Gomez from Boise County, Idaho, who has served as a school resource officer for 11 years. He observes that issues involving students and their smartphones worsen each year.

“All this [new smartphone technology] comes at the cost of childhood. I see sixth graders who don’t own a cellphone. They bring their guitars or ukuleles, engage in drawing, or play sports. Then, when they get a cellphone in seventh grade, they abandon all those activities; the phone becomes their top priority.”

Are cellphones too much too soon for kids?

Wilmington, North Carolina mother Leigh Hicks experienced this herself when she allowed her daughter to start using an iPhone just before sixth grade.

“Her grandfather gifted her an Apple watch that came with a free phone,” Hicks shared. “I was against her having a phone so early, but I gave in.”

Despite implementing family rules and Apple’s parental controls, Hicks noticed that within a year, her daughter became “completely absorbed” by her smartphone and social media, leading to significant changes in her behavior. “She received around 23 conduct reports at school. She would sneak into my room at night just to unlock the phone. It was a troubling experience.”

Hicks eventually found that taking away the phone was the only effective solution. Now, as her daughter starts 10th grade, she has a Lively Jitterbug Flip2, a phone intended primarily for seniors, allowing simple calls and texts. “It’s the only flip phone I could find without internet access,” she added with a sigh.

Similarly, Allison Graves, a first-grade teacher in Virginia Beach, regretted giving her daughter an older model iPhone just before seventh grade. “After she got the phone, there were issues that weren’t safe or responsible. She stopped respecting our guidelines for appropriate phone use.”

Graves also tried to monitor her daughter’s phone usage, setting limits through Apple’s settings. However, she quickly discovered it wasn’t effective.

“I found that she had downloaded TikTok, even though we had rules against it. Other kids at school had shared a workaround,” she explained.

Graves ended up replacing the iPhone with a Bark phone designed for children, which she appreciates for its ability to grow with her daughter over time by adding features as she matures.

“In my role as an educator, I know that giving a child a smartphone is akin to letting them loose in a candy store filled with sugary treats but only allowing them to snack on vegetables. I don’t believe anyone can manage that.”

Both Hicks and Graves expressed relief at the increasing number of schools enforcing cellphone bans. They hope this will alleviate some of the pressures they face, particularly regarding peer influence on their daughters.

“If no students have smartphones during class, that would be beneficial,” Graves noted. “If I need to contact my daughter, I just call the school office. She can also use the office phone to reach me.” Hicks concurred.

Which schools are implementing cellphone bans?

The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest in the U.S., voted this summer to impose a smartphone ban. Although it won’t be fully in effect until January, schools are already advising students to keep their phones off and put away.

Meanwhile, schools around the country, from Seattle to St. Louis, are adopting similar cellphone restrictions, with states like Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Florida also introducing varying levels of bans.

Other states, including New York and California, are considering similar measures. Currently, 11 states either limit or suggest that schools restrict cellphone use during class hours.

Many educators advocate for a complete ban on cellphones in schools altogether.

“Don’t even bring cellphones to school.

Deputy Gomez points out that the temptation of smartphones is simply too great. “If you let students keep them in their pockets or lockers, they’ll end up visiting the restroom far too often,” he suggests. “It’s just excessive.”

However, many believe that parents should intentionally steer their children away from bringing phones to school altogether.

Why are schools implementing cellphone bans?

A recent survey from the Pew Research Center indicates that around 75% of high school teachers and 33% of middle school teachers in the U.S. identify smartphone distractions as a considerable issue in their classrooms. This survey was published in June.

Furthermore, a study released last fall by Common Sense Media revealed that 97% of students use their phones during school. On average, each student receives about 60 notifications while at school and spends approximately 43 minutes—equivalent to an entire class period—on their devices.

According to a report by UNESCO, the presence of a phone within arm’s reach can significantly disrupt a student’s focus. A single notification can lead to distractions that take teens up to 20 minutes to overcome before they can get back into a learning mindset.

But are these bans effective? In my next article, we will explore the reasons behind parental resistance to these restrictions and their desire to stay connected to their children through technology around the clock.

We’ll also examine some smartphone alternatives that balance the needs of both kids and parents for staying in touch—while ensuring some limits.

Jennifer Jolly is an Emmy Award-winning technology columnist and on-air reporter. The views and opinions presented in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of YSL News. You can reach her at JJ@Techish.com.