Support for phone bans in school ticks up in the US, Pew study reveals
As New York bans cellphone use during the school day, a recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that support for phone bans in school is increasing.
3 The majority of U.S. adults support prohibiting students from using their phones during class time.
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About 74% of US adults say they would support banning middle and high school students from using cellphones during class — that's up from 68% last fall.
Only a small portion — fewer than 19% — oppose classroom bans and even fewer — 7% — are unsure.
But a growing number of people don't just think students should be banned from using their phones during class time, but support the devices being banned during the entire school day.
More than four-in-ten Americans — 44% — back school day bans. That's up from 36% last fall.
Those 50 years and older are more likely to support these bans, but support among all age groups is growing.
It's one issue that both Republicans and Democrats can agree on — 78% vs. 71% for class time bans.
About two-thirds of adults support all-day cellphone bans, believing it would improve students' social skills, grades and behavior in class. Far fewer say this of physical safety.
3 About 74% of U.S. adults say they would support banning middle and high school students from using cellphones during class — that's up from 68% last fall.
CarlosBarquero – stock.adobe.com
Some opponents worry that children won't be able to contact their parents in case of an emergency, such as a school shooting — but most adults believe the benefits outweigh this increasingly possible scenario.
The push for cellphone bans has largely been spurred by growing concerns about the negative impact screen time has on children's mental health.
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy — who has called for the implementation of a tobacco-style 'warning label' for social media platforms about their effects on young people's lives — has said schools need to provide phone-free times.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 77% of U.S. schools say they prohibit cellphones at school for non-academic use.
3 More than four-in-ten Americans — 44% — back school day bans. That's up from 36% last fall.
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However, experts note that while schools may have phone restrictions, they may not be enforced or followed.
Kim Whitman, co-founder of the Phone Free Schools Movement, said the issue is catching on because parents and teachers are struggling with the consequences of kids on mobile devices.
'It doesn't matter if you live in a big city or a rural town, urban or suburban, all children are struggling and need that seven-hour break from the pressures of phones and social media during the school day,' she said.
Florida was the first state to crack down on phones in school, passing a 2023 law that requires all public schools to ban cellphone use during class time and block access to social media on district Wi-Fi.
Several other states have followed suit, including New York.
Earlier this year, Governor Hochul signed the Distraction-Free Schools law into practice. The new law requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide, starting this upcoming 2025 to 2026 school year.
The state's powerful teachers' union — New York State United Teachers — backs a 'phone-free' school policy.
All New York public school districts must publish their policy, which must provide parents with a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary, for approval by August 1.
'As Governor, my priority is ensuring every New York student receives a high-quality education, free from constant clicking and scrolling – that's why I've directed my team to commit every available resource for school districts to develop their distraction-free learning policies by the August 1 deadline,' Gov. Hochul said in a statement.
'I'm encouraged by my discussion with Capital Region school districts that have already implemented their distraction-free policy, and I am confident that New York will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions on the first day of school.'
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