Public school cellphone bans in certain states are implemented, with experts discussing the advantages and disadvantages.

Some U.S. states and school districts are responding to demands for stricter rules or complete prohibitions on cellphone use among students.

The latest state to attempt to limit the use of something, according to reports, is Arizona, with the legislature stating that although districts can handle the issue individually, a broader law is required.

In April, a bill that would have restricted cellphone use in Arizona's public schools was vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs.

On Thursday, a news conference was held by Tom Horne, the state superintendent of public instruction for the Arizona Department of Education, and others to advocate for a state-wide cellphone ban in schools.

During the news conference, Horne stated that cellphone use has become a "serious issue" that has progressively deteriorated.

"He remarked that cellphones should be "put away for the school day" instead of the students being unable to learn that way."

No teacher should be expected to teach a class where students are scrolling on their cellphones, as cellphone use has "become the heroin of our time," he stated.

Other states' views of cellphone use during school

Over 11 U.S. states have implemented laws or guidelines that limit students' cellphone usage in schools or suggest that local districts establish their own restrictive policies, as per an Education Week investigation.

In June, the LAUSD board of education decided to prohibit students from using smartphones.

By January 2025, the largest district in the United States, LAUSD, must enforce a complete ban on phones during the school day.

The California School Boards Association advocated for school districts to have the authority to control smartphone usage in classrooms, rather than the state.

Troy Flint, a spokesperson for the California School Boards Association, stated to The Associated Press that we support legislation that enables school leaders to make policy decisions at a local level, taking into account their community's concerns and the needs of their students.

In July, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order to promote cellphone-free education in K-12 public schools by directing the Virginia Department of Education to develop policies for banning cellphones in classrooms.

The Connecticut State Board of Education and Gov. Ned Lamont released a report advocating for the removal of cellphones from elementary and middle schools in Connecticut.

"It’s about giving kids the freedom to learn without distractions."

In January, the Flint Community Schools District in Michigan implemented a rule prohibiting cellphones in any school building, as reported locally.

Some states have introduced programs to limit cellphone usage during the day in an incentivized manner.

Local reports indicate that storage pouches for students' phones have been incorporated in Arkansas, Delaware, and Pennsylvania during school hours.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders stated via email to Planet Chronicle that Arkansas' phone-free schools' program is not about taking anything away, but rather providing students with the freedom to learn without distractions.

"Over 75% of Arkansas schools are set to participate in our initiative, indicating broad backing from both parents and educators for limiting in-school phone use."

‘Crowding-out’ effect

A pediatric psychiatrist at Rady Children’s Hospital and UC San Diego, Dr. Willough Jenkins, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that she commonly observes the adverse effects of phone usage among kids and adolescents.

Not all children struggle with phone use, so the discussion is not straightforward; it's quite nuanced.

"Those who engage in the behavior are experiencing the consequences in our mental health clinics and psychiatry."

According to Jenkins, the time spent on devices is affecting children's ability to participate in extracurriculars and hobbies, resulting in a "crowding-out effect."

She remarked that the content on their phones, which is not equally created, is the other piece they're viewing.

While some students may use devices for school-related research, others may view "harmful content" through social media.

Jenkins cautioned that using phones during free periods like lunch and recess can hinder socialization.

"We worry about the impact on children's social development when they are immersed in their phones and not interacting with other children around them, as schools focus on academics and the social learning that comes along with it."

Jenkins stated that she hopes lawmakers and schools consider students with medical needs when implementing nationwide phone-banning policies.

She pointed out that some children with neurodivergence or autism spectrum diagnoses may use devices to aid in communication.

Jenkins stated that students with medical conditions, such as diabetes, may need to monitor things like blood glucose.

"When creating rules, it's essential to take into account all possible scenarios."

Some parents believe that children should keep their cellphones during the day to quickly contact their parents and caregivers in emergency situations.

Landon Mion of Planet Chronicle Digital contributed to this report.