Cellphones

Learn more about cellphones in K-12 schools—whether they are being banned, used as instructional tools, or something in between

Tracker

cellphone distraction policy bans in schools static
Which States Ban or Restrict Cellphones in Schools?
See which states are requiring cellphone restrictions or bans in schools.
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Tue., February 17, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Student Well-Being & Movement K-12 Essentials Forum How Schools Are Teaching Students Life Skills
Join this free virtual event to explore creative ways schools have found to seamlessly integrate teaching life skills into the school day.
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February 17, 2026
Natalie Marshall chats with a North Central High School student athlete on a field trip to Glover Middle School on Dec. 4, 2025.
Natalie Marshall chats with a North Central High School student athlete on a field trip to Glover Middle School on Dec. 4, 2025.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement How This District Is Shrinking Students’ Screen Time—After the School Day Ends
Engagement navigators in this district help students take advantage of the many available extracurriculars.
Kaylee Domzalski & Alyson Klein, January 26, 2026
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2:34
Students celebrate at the end of basketball club at Adams Elementary School on Dec. 5, 2025.
Students celebrate at the end of basketball club at Adams Elementary School on Dec. 5, 2025. The Spokane district has significantly invested in extracurriculars to help limit students' screen time, and their elementary schools are no exception.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement ‘Great Lifelong Habits’: How This District Is Keeping Young Kids Off Screens
Can a massive expansion of extracurricular activities help build social-emotional skills in early grades?
Alyson Klein, January 26, 2026
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6 min read
Students at Glover Middle School in Spokane, Wash. sing karaoke during Falcon Time on Dec. 3, 2025.
Students at Glover Middle School in Spokane, Wash., sing karaoke during Falcon Time on Dec. 3, 2025. The district has gone all-in on engaging extracurriculars and activities.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement One District's Battle to Curb Cellphones and Get Kids to Engage in Real Life
Spokane's leaders are pushing extracurriculars to help students strengthen in-person social skills.
Alyson Klein, January 26, 2026
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12 min read
Teacher on cellphone in classroom with blurred students in background.
Education Week and Getty
Ed-Tech Policy Teachers Like Cellphone Bans—But Not for Themselves
Teachers say they need to use their phones for their work, but some administrators want rules in place.
Olina Banerji, January 23, 2026
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3 min read
Hand holding sieve to filter truth from lies, facts from fakes. Concept of media literacy, fake news detection, and critical thinking in digital age.
iStock/Getty
Classroom Technology More States Are Pairing Cellphone Bans With Media Literacy Instruction
Students need to develop the skills to critically analyze the content they view on their phones.
Alyson Klein, January 21, 2026
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2 min read
Group of students holding cell phones in their hands.
iStock/Getty
Classroom Technology How Do Teens Feel About Cellphone Bans? You Might Be Surprised
A survey by the Pew Research Center provides a window into what students think of cellphone bans.
Arianna Prothero, January 16, 2026
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4 min read
Image of students using laptops in the classroom.
E+
Classroom Technology Should Schools Curtail the Use of Technology? Congress Fuels Debate
Experts told lawmakers ed tech hurts student mental health without improving learning outcomes.
Alyson Klein & Lauraine Langreo, January 15, 2026
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9 min read
Middle school students in Spokane, Wash., are allowed to use their cellphones before they enter the building.
Middle school students in Spokane, Wash., are allowed to use their cellphones before they enter school buildings. While Washington state doesn't have a statewide mandate, at least 33 other states and the District of Columbia require school districts to ban or restrict students’ use of cellphones in schools, according to an Education Week tally.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Classroom Technology What the Research Says How Much Time Do Teens Spend on Their Phones During School?
Teenagers' most-used apps are social media, video, and gaming.
Lauraine Langreo & Gina Tomko, January 14, 2026
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4 min read
A student at Ferris High School in Spokane, Wash., briefly checks their phone during class on Dec. 3, 2025.
A student at Ferris High School in Spokane, Wash., briefly checks their phone during class on Dec. 3, 2025. Teachers say there are some actions administrators can take that will cellphone restrictions easier to implement in the classroom.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Ed-Tech Policy The Ingredients for a Successful Cellphone Ban: What Teachers Say
One key component: support from school leaders.
Olina Banerji, January 13, 2026
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5 min read
Close-up of mobile phones in children's hands
E+/Getty
Student Well-Being & Movement Is Owning a Smartphone Before High School a Health Risk? What to Know
Smartphone ownership before high school can lead to difficulties in school.
Arianna Prothero, December 16, 2025
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3 min read
At one high school in Washington state, students are allowed to use their phones during lunch breaks and between classes.
At one high school in Washington state, students are allowed to use their phones during lunch breaks and between classes. Principals say they want to help students develop a healthier relationship with cellphones.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Ed-Tech Policy These Schools Restricted Cellphone Use. Here’s What Happened Next
Principals noted a decrease in discipline referrals and an increase in student engagement.
Olina Banerji, December 16, 2025
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6 min read
Illustration of crossed out cellphone, equal sign and happy face.
F. Sheehan/Education Week + Getty
Teaching Profession Do Cellphone Bans Curb Teacher Burnout?
Researchers examined the impact on teachers in two middle schools.
Arianna Prothero, November 25, 2025
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4 min read
Stock photo of a group of diverse elementary students standing against a brick wall and typing on their cellphones.
iStock/Getty
Classroom Technology From Our Research Center Is There a Right Age for a Child’s First Cellphone? Educators Weigh In
Experts say there's no optimal age for giving students their first mobile phone.
Alyson Klein, November 19, 2025
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2 min read
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