As the new school year begins, students in 17 states and the District of Columbia are facing new cellphone restrictions. Jamel Bishop, a senior at Doss High School in Louisville, Kentucky, has noticed significant changes in his classroom environment. Cellphones are now banned during instructional time, which Bishop believes allows teachers to provide more individualized attention to students who need it.

Kentucky is among the states implementing these restrictions, which have expanded to a total of 35 states with laws or rules limiting the use of phones and other electronic devices in schools. The trend began rapidly, with Florida being the first state to enact such a law in 2023. Both political parties are supporting these measures, reflecting a growing belief that cellphones negatively impact students' mental health and distract them from learning.

Georgia state Rep. Scott Hilton, a Republican, noted the popularity of these laws, stating, "Anytime you have a bill that’s passed in California and Florida, you know you’re probably onto something that’s pretty popular." In 18 states and the District of Columbia, phones are banned throughout the school day. However, Georgia and Florida enforce these bans only for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Seven additional states restrict phone use during class but allow them during transitions and lunch.

The new rules have introduced changes to students' daily routines, such as using magnetic pouches or special lockers to store their phones. At McNair High School in suburban Atlanta, students have been required to lock up their phones during class since last year. Junior Audreanna Johnson shared that many students were initially reluctant to surrender their phones, as they used them to communicate and gossip with peers. However, she noted that acceptance of the policy is growing, with more students willing to give up their devices to avoid distractions.

Despite the benefits, some students express concerns about the restrictions. Johnson mentioned that she typically listens to music while studying, which she finds helpful for concentration.

Parental concerns about safety are also significant. A survey conducted by Emory University across 125 Georgia school districts identified parental resistance as a major barrier to regulating student cellphone use. Audrena Johnson, Audreanna's mother, emphasized the importance of having her child’s phone for safety reasons. She recounted a situation where she learned about a fight involving a non-student on school grounds through a text from her daughter. "My child having her phone is very important to me, because if something were to happen, I know instantly," she said.

Many parents support the restrictions but want to be involved in policymaking and demand better communication regarding safety issues. Jason Allen, national director of partnerships for the National Parents Union, stated, "We just changed the cell phone policy, but aren’t meeting the parents' needs in regards to safety and really training teachers to work with students on social emotional development."

Research on the impact of cellphone restrictions is still developing. Julie Gazmararian, a public health professor at Emory University, reported that teachers appreciate the policy, noting it reduces classroom disruptions and allows for more effective teaching. She observed that students are engaging more with each other in hallways and cafeterias, leading to fewer discipline referrals.

However, Gazmararian cautioned that her research is ongoing and may not definitively show whether bullying has decreased or mental health has improved. Munmun De Choudhury, a Georgia Tech professor, highlighted the need for further research to understand the effects of social media on mental health. "We need to be able to quantify what types of social media use are causing harm, what types of social media use can be beneficial," she said.

Some states are resisting the trend toward stricter cellphone policies. In January, Wyoming's Senate rejected a proposal to require districts to establish cellphone policies, arguing that responsibility should lie with teachers and parents. Similarly, a Republican-sponsored bill in Michigan to ban phones during school hours was defeated in July, with Democrats advocating for local control. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer continues to push for legislation to restrict cellphone use in schools.