Nationwide, state legislatures have recently been issuing phone bans in schools. The consensus is that issuing a phone ban promotes social interaction, reduces distractions, improves academic performance, addresses mental health concerns, and enhances the school environment. States such as New York, Virginia, Texas, and Vermont have all passed phone bans. More specifically for our school, Lake Region, the ban was signed by our governor, Phil Scott, and applies to schools for the 2026-2027 year and forward. With the ban, many upsides are argued, and downsides as well.
How much of a distraction do phones cause in school? A survey conducted in 2023 reports that 33% of all teachers in the US reported a problem with phone distractions (the survey included minor problems or no problem), 6% of teachers reported that phone distractions are a problem in elementary schools, 33% in middle school, and 71% in high school. Only a third of teachers statewide report having reported distractions including kindergarten and pre-K, and 80% state they have policies already in place for the usage of cell phones. Having a phone ban in place will cut out all major distractions.
Well, if students don’t need phones, do the teachers? Teachers will often use their phones for work-related communication such as scheduling, accessing resources, or emergencies, while the students’ use is mostly personal. Surveys report teachers use them for an emergency role, using a phone to contact emergency services.
I interviewed students at Lake Region by asking, “What are your thoughts and comments on the state-issued and bridge year of the phone ban? Here are some of the answers I received:
“It’s unnecessary, it didn’t need to be enacted.”
“It’s really dumb.”
“It’s stupid.”
“I get why it was put in place.”
“It doesn’t provide me with a sense of security and I don’t like not being in contact with family and friends.”
“It’s sooo great. I wish it would stay around forever.”
“I think it’s unbeneficial to the school and to the children.”
“Im good with it or without it”
From all of the sample students surveyed many would agree that we are better off without it, whether it’s because of passing time in a study block or being in contact with family. It’s a different era of school with a ban or not.
I asked the other side of the coin, the adults, and here is what some had to say:
“So it’s not something new. And I think that our school taking a proactive approach for the law that is coming down the pike is going to help our students become more prepared for handling all the big changes that are going to happen. I also think it’s going to help kids stay more focused and they’re not going to be, you know, as hyper focused on, oh, I need to check this text or this Snapchat or whatever. I also think it will help curb, you know, certain behaviors like cyberbullying and stuff that happen in school. That’s my thought “, “Cautiously Optimistic”, and “I think that we could have and should have done it five years ago. And I’m looking forward to how it impacts student learning.”
When looking at both opinions we can clearly make inference that students in general think negatively of it and adults will look at it from a positive perspective.
