Cell-outs: Growing number of US adults support phone bans during school
If you’re a middle school or high school student reading this article, firstly, we’re extremely proud of you for staying informed. Unfortunately, however, we have some bad news –– a growing number of U.S. adults support some form of a cellphone ban while school is in session.
With 95% of American teens reporting access to a smartphone and increasing concerns about the impact of various apps on students’ social and emotional development, it’s no wonder that a greater swath of U.S. adults support partial or full bans on smartphones during the school day.
That’s according to a Pew Research study conducted in June, which found a 6% increase in the number of adults who support banning phone use during class.
In fall 2024, Pew found that 68% of U.S. adults supported banning middle and high school students from using their smartphones during class time. Now, that number stands at 74%. Conversely, only 19% outright oppose a classroom ban, while 7% said they were unsure.
Perhaps most surprising is the 12 percentage point jump among U.S. adults under 30 who support some form of a ban. Over the past year, Pew notes that support for cellphone bans during class among the age group increased from 45% to 57%.
While those numbers only cover class-time bans, support for all-day bans is also growing –– albeit more modestly.
According to Pew, a plurality of Americans, 46%, still oppose all-day bans. However, the number who support the idea has grown 8 percentage points over the past year, from 36% to 44%. In this category, 10% reported being unsure.
More cities, states consider cellphone bans
The study comes as more and more states and cities consider imposing some form of cellphone ban on campus, including Illinois, New York and New Jersey, Virginia and Los Angeles. In places where policies have been implemented to curb cellphone use during class time, students have filed petitions to get the rules overturned.
“[Cellphones] are fueling a rise in cyberbullying. And they are making it incredibly difficult for our kids, not only to learn, but to retain the substance of what they learn,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in his State of the State address earlier this year. “Honestly, is it any surprise that the rise in smartphone usage has coincided with a growing youth mental health crisis?”
The U.S. adults surveyed by Pew seem to agree.
Sixty-seven percent said an all-day ban would positively impact a student’s social skills, while 66% believe it would positively impact their grades, ditto 64% for class behavior. When it comes to physical safety, however, the number of respondents who anticipate a positive impact dips to 37%.
Despite the efforts of some legislators, though, 36% of respondents are “more concerned that state and local governments won’t go far enough in their regulations.” In the opposite corner sits 29%, who think the government might go too far.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
