The effects of phones Restrictions in schools
Written By Isis Uribe
Throughout many countries, schools have begun to adopt restrictive policies regarding phone usage during school hours. With the idea that these policies would prove effective in minimizing distractions, improving academic performance, and assisting in a better social environment for students. As of 2026, the shift toward more stringent phone restriction policies or bans has progressed into widespread legislation. Roughly 36 states in the U.S. have approved formal K-12 restriction policies with broad public support ranging from parents to students themselves. Additionally, a study conducted by the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) shows that 114 education systems have national bans on mobile phones. Data from these implementations have shown general improvements, including a modest increase in test scores, face-to-face interaction among peers, and reduced cyberbullying.
Some alternatives to these restrictions include the Yondr Pouch, a magnetically sealed pouch given to students to put their phones during school hours, but this has sparked debates on how school districts should spend their limited budgets, especially in lower-income communities where there are more important concerns. For instance, limited school supplies and old infrastructure, as stated by Cara Tabachnick on CBS News. Some critics argue that these school phone policies are a heavy-handed approach to this problem, while some parents express their concern for the safety of their students and the inability to communicate quickly in emergencies.
About the Author
I’m a 17 year-old Mexican-American senior in high school who joined Changeist my freshmen year of high school. I am interested in a variety of topics like true crime, art, and biology. My personal hobbies are scrapbooking, drawing, and journaling.
Sources:
https://paragoninstitute.org/public-health/banning-smartphones-in-schools/?nab=0
https://www.edweek.org/technology/which-states-ban-or-restrict-cellphones-in-schools/2024/06
https://www.closeup.org/public-schools-phone-bans/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/yondr-pouches-school-cell-phone-ban/
