In 2025, a significant shift occurred in classrooms across the United States as more students attended classes without their cellphones. This change followed the introduction of legislation in numerous states aimed at creating phone-free learning environments.
A Nationwide Trend: Limiting Cellphone Use in Schools
Cellphone restrictions in schools became more widespread in 2025, with thirty-two states enacting laws to limit personal device use during school hours. Notably, twenty of these states introduced new laws this year alone. NPR’s Sequoia Carrillo explores how this has impacted educational settings like classrooms, hallways, and cafeterias.
Student Perspectives
At Mount Olive Middle School in northern New Jersey, students delved into the implications of a new cellphone ban by creating a podcast for NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge.
SANIYAH ALAM: Do you think we should have phones during lunch, and what are your thoughts?
In the podcast, student journalist Saniyah Alam and her peers queried classmates about the policy that mandates phones be left in lockers throughout the school day. They were particularly interested in lunchtime usage.
UNIDENTIFIED STUDENT #1: I think we should have a system in place to, like, prevent people from, like, misusing phones, but I think we should.
UNIDENTIFIED STUDENT #2: Lunch is our free time, so that would be, like, fun.
UNIDENTIFIED STUDENT #3: I think yes because students should be able to have the time to be kids.
Administrative Viewpoints
Vice Principal Daniel Barcia offered a contrasting perspective on the issue.
DANIEL BARCIA: To me, it’s just sad. Like, you guys don’t hang out, and you don’t talk. Like, when I was your age, we would be outside riding bikes, and everybody would meet at the park. You guys don’t do that. So I don’t know. It’s dangerous.
Bipartisan Legislative Support
Legislators from both political parties have shown support for these cellphone bans. Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott highlighted concerns about the negative effects of cellphone use and social media exposure on students.
GREG ABBOTT: One thing that we’re very concerned about with students is what’s happening to them by exposure, not only to use of a cellphone, but things like social media.
Similarly, New York’s Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul shared her observations after discussing the impact of cellphones in schools with various stakeholders across the state.
KATHY HOCHUL: I went around the state, anybody who would sit down with me, and hear from them, about what the impact of cellphones in schools has been doing to our children. I didn’t hear anything good.
Teacher and Expert Insights
In Richmond, Virginia, tenth-grade English teacher Oliver Perry experienced firsthand the effects of the new state ban that began in January, requiring teachers to collect phones at the start of each class.
OLIVER PERRY: I have this lockbox in my room and I have a little key for it. I have these little sticky notes that I give out with a number on it.
Initially, students cooperated willingly, but as the year progressed, compliance dwindled.
PERRY: I get maybe one or two phones per class period, and that’s because students would much rather get in trouble with it than give it up.
Economics professor David Figlio from the University of Rochester has been researching the effects of cellphone bans in a Florida district. His early findings suggest benefits outweigh drawbacks, but the impact is gradual.
DAVID FIGLIO: It moves the needle in a meaningful way, but it’s not the absolute game changer. So if that’s the outcome that you’re looking for, just be realistic with one’s expectations.
Looking Ahead
The conversation around cellphone bans in schools is likely to continue. In 2026, California, Ohio, and Massachusetts are set to implement their statewide policies.
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