Cellphones
Learn more about cellphones in K-12 schools—whether they are being banned, used as instructional tools, or something in between
Which States Ban or Restrict Cellphones in Schools?
See which states are requiring cellphone restrictions or bans in schools.
Ed-Tech Policy
Q&A
A Researcher Studied a High School's Cellphone Ban. Here's What She Found
A professor spent the past year surveying teachers on the use of a phone-free policy in their high school.
Ed-Tech Policy
Q&A
To Ban or Not to Ban? Two Experts Sound Off on School Cellphone Restrictions
States and school districts are rushing to restrict student smartphone use. But is it the right move?
Ed-Tech Policy
Cellphone Ban Adopters Share How They Did It—and How It's Changed Students
School administrators detail how they got staff, students, and parents to believe in new, stricter cellphone policies.
Science
From Our Research Center
Students Don't Think Cellphones Distract Them From Learning STEM. Teachers Disagree
New surveys of teens and teachers show how far apart the two groups are on this issue.
Classroom Technology
From Our Research Center
Chromebooks or Cellphones: Which Are the Bigger Classroom Distraction?
Most schools have had 1-to-1 computing environments since 2020; others have had it since the early 2010s.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Schools Don't Know How Well Cellphone Policies Are Working. You Can Help
We urgently need comprehensive research about cellphones in schools, writes Angela Duckworth.
Student Well-Being & Movement
What RFK Jr. Thinks Schools Ought To Do About Cellphones
At least 19 states have laws or policies that ban or restrict students’ use of cellphones in schools, according to EdWeek's tracker.
Teaching Profession
Data
Teachers Say These 5 Factors Could Boost Their Morale
Short of a pay raise, here are the things that could improve teachers' morale.
Classroom Technology
Here's How Many Elementary Students Have Their Own Cellphones and Tablets
The use of cellphones and tablets by young children in school raises concerns about too much screen time.
Ed-Tech Policy
Download
Four Ways to Supercharge Your School's Cellphone Policy (Downloadable)
The first step is creating a cellphone policy. But it takes these four ingredients to make the policy work.
Classroom Technology
What Are the Best Ways to Manage Cellphones in Schools?
Teaching kids responsible use of their devices is important regardless of the level of restrictions.
Ed-Tech Policy
Opinion
If You're Going to Ban Cellphones, Do It Right
An educator offers school and district leaders a cooperative, restorative approach to restricting cellphone use in schools.
Ed-Tech Policy
More States Are Moving to Ban Cellphones at School. Should They?
While cellphone bans are popular with many educators, some researchers say there's not much evidence yet that these policies work.
Ed-Tech Policy
What Schools Look Like Without the Cellphone Distraction
Student behavior has improved and disciplinary referrals have gone down, administrators say.