Cellphones

Learn more about cellphones in K-12 schools—whether they are being banned, used as instructional tools, or something in between

Tracker

Which States Ban or Restrict Cellphones in Schools?
See which states are requiring cellphone restrictions or bans in schools.
Classroom Technology Live Online Discussion A Seat at the Table: The Rewiring of Childhood With Jonathan Haidt
Jonathan Haidt, Catherine Price, and Adam Swinyard join Peter DeWitt on how to get students off devices and back to the basics of childhood.
June 17, 2026
Image of a student using their phone in bed at night.
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Classroom Technology This School District Wants Students to Turn Off Their Phones and Sleep
Parents and students are learning about the importance of device-free bedrooms.
Alyson Klein, May 5, 2026
6 min read
Students at Washington Junior High School use the unlocking mechanism to open the bags their cell phone were sealed in during the school day as they leave school for the day on 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.
Students at Washington Junior High School use the unlocking mechanism to open the bags their cellphones were sealed in during the school day as they leave school on Oct. 27, 2022, in Washington, Pa. A new study suggests that cellphone restrictions in school don't seem to boost student achievement or attendance.
Keith Srakocic/AP
Classroom Technology Do Student Cellphone Bans Improve Academic Achievement?
Researchers recommend continued examination of cellphone policies, which are still relatively new.
Alyson Klein, May 4, 2026
4 min read
Student Well-Being & Movement Spotlight Spotlight on the Athletic Advantage: How Districts Are Turning School Sports Into Community Assets
Find out how you can improve student engagement, belonging, and mental health through inclusive sports programs, esports, and gaming.
April 30, 2026
A middle school student unlocks a Yondr pouch on an unlocking base at Bayside Academy while others wait in line for their turn to unlock their pouch at the end of the school day on Aug. 16, 2024, in San Mateo, Calif. Gavin Newsom sent letters Tuesday, Aug. 13, to school districts, urging them to restrict students’ use of smartphones on campus.
A middle school student unlocks a Yondr pouch to retrieve a cellphone at Bayside Academy in San Mateo, Calif., on Aug. 16, 2024. Most educators are supportive of schools putting restrictions on student cellphone use during school hours.
Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP
Recruitment & Retention From Our Research Center Want to Recruit Teachers? Restrict Student Cellphone Use During School
Many school districts now limit student cellphone use during school hours.
Alyson Klein, April 29, 2026
2 min read
A student takes notes on their cell phone during class at Bel Air High School in Bel Air, Md., on Jan. 25, 2024.
A student takes notes on a cellphone during class at a high school in Bel Air, Md., on Jan. 25, 2024. The vast majority of educators say their school districts now have policies that restrict cellphone use during school hours.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Classroom Technology From Our Research Center What Happens When Schools Restrict Cellphone Use
New survey sheds light on how cellphone restrictions are improving student behavior and engagement.
Arianna Prothero, April 28, 2026
5 min read
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Complying with State Phone Bans: 3 Options for Superintendents
This white paper helps district leaders identify options, understand their pros & cons, and how technology can facilitate successful comp...
Content provided by TRUCE Family
Education Week opinion letters submissions
Gwen Keraval for Education Week
Ed-Tech Policy Letter to the Editor Don’t Ban Phones, Limit Them
Phones can be useful tools, says a high school student.
April 24, 2026
1 min read
Students use their cellphones as they leave for the day the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts High School in downtown Los Angeles on Aug. 13, 2024.
Students use their cellphones as they leave for the day the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts High School in downtown Los Angeles on Aug. 13, 2024.
Damian Dovarganes/AP
Federal A Federal School Cellphone Policy? Big Barriers Stand in the Way
Other countries have nationwide restrictions, but in the U.S., states and districts have set the agenda.
Lauraine Langreo, April 21, 2026
6 min read
Amanda Jamerson.
Amanda Jamerson, the associate principal at Wisconsin's Shorewood High School, at the National Education Leadership Awards gala on April 17, 2026, in Washington.
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School & District Management High School Assistant Principal of the Year Focuses on Equity, Student Behavior
Amanda Jamerson focused on addressing student discipline.
Jennifer Vilcarino, April 21, 2026
5 min read
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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Something Has Shifted: Phone-Free Schools in 2026
This report explores what’s driving the shift, what schools are seeing in classrooms, and what it means for leaders navigating student ph...
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This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
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Solving Inconsistent Phone Policy Enforcement: Teacher Insights
This white paper helps school leaders make informed decisions by highlighting teachers’ phone enforcement experiences and how technology ...
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High school students eat lunch in the cafeteria on Dec. 5, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. While most states are banning cellphone use in school, one Connecticut district is pushing lawmakers to turn down a statewide ban.
High school students eat lunch in the cafeteria on Dec. 5, 2025, in Spokane, Wash., while looking at their phones. While most states have passed restrictions on student cellphone use in school, leaders in one Connecticut district want their state lawmakers to turn down a statewide, "bell-to-bell" ban.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Ed-Tech Policy These School Leaders Don’t Want a Statewide Cellphone Ban. Here's Why
As lawmakers consider a student cellphone ban, leaders of one district want to set their own policy.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, February 23, 2026
3 min read
Students at Glover Middle School in Spokane, Wash. make bookmarks and snowflakes during Falcon Time on Dec. 3, 2025.
Students at Glover Middle School in Spokane, Wash. make bookmarks and snowflakes during Falcon Time on Dec. 3, 2025. The district has sought to encourage students to spend less time on devices.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement Q&A Cellphones: The 'Most Formidable Adversary' Schools Have Ever Faced
The Spokane schools in Washington paired cellphone restrictions with expanded extracurricular activities.
Alyson Klein, February 20, 2026
5 min read