More than half of U.S. states have taken steps to ban or restrict cellphone use in K-12 schools, a new analysis finds, according to the Axios news service. Many school districts are getting out ahead of their state education departments, issuing their own rules around cellphone use and access. In some schools, for example, students are expected to put their devices in a secure pouch they can unlock when leaving for the day, or in case of emergency.
The analysis was produced by KFF, a San Francisco-based health policy, research and news service.
Seven states, including Florida, Louisiana and Virginia, have already banned or restricted school cellphone use, according to the recent KFF analysis. State education departments have issued policy proposals or launched pilot programs in another six. Legislation restricting or banning cellphone use in schools has been introduced in 14 others.
Some states that KFF categorized as having a statewide ban or restriction, such as Minnesota, have told school districts to come up with their own policies, but have not said what those policies should be.
Do cellphone bans make life better for students? The research is inconclusive. “Emerging research on student outcomes is mixed, with some studies suggesting improvements in student mental health and academic performance and a reduction in bullying, and others showing little to no change,” according to the KFF report.
And opinions remain divided. Some students admit that their phones can be hugely disruptive during class, and cyberbullying is a persistent issue. But many parents see phones as critical safety tools in the event of a shooting or other emergency.
Axios News Service
