School cellphone bans spread nationwide
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More than half of U.S. states have taken steps to ban or restrict cellphone use in K-12 schools, a new analysis finds.
Why it matters: Even 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.
Driving the news: Seven states, including Florida, Louisiana and Virginia, have already banned or restricted school cellphone use, per a 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.
Caveat: 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.
How it works: In some schools, students are expected to put their devices in a secure pouch they can unlock when leaving for the day, or in case of emergency.
Between the lines: Many school districts are getting out ahead of their state education departments, issuing their own rules around cellphone use and access that aren't captured in the map above.
What's next: The jury's still out on whether cellphone bans actually make life better for students.
- "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," per KFF.
