U.S. Education Department Urges States and Schools to Implement Cellphone Policies

On Tuesday, the U.S. Education Department urged states, schools, and districts to establish clear policies regarding cellphone use in educational settings. The initiative calls for comprehensive and research-based guidelines, while leaving the specifics to local consideration.

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona highlighted the need for tailored approaches, stating, “In this digital age, every elementary, middle, and high school should have a clear, consistent policy to guide the use of phones and personal devices in school.” He emphasized that a standardized approach is impractical due to the diverse needs of various school communities.

The department acknowledged cellphones’ role in maintaining parent-child connections, especially during emergencies. However, it also pointed out increasing concerns about social media’s negative impact on youth mental health, linking it to issues like sleep deprivation and depression.

Currently, numerous states and school districts are grappling with cellphone policies, with more than half exploring restrictions or outright bans. As of early November, eight states, including California, Florida, and Ohio, have implemented statewide measures to limit or prohibit cellphone use in classrooms. Additionally, Minnesota has mandated that schools adopt a cellphone policy by March 2025.

Other states have introduced recommendations or pilot programs, and several are pursuing legislation on cellphone use. The U.S. Education Department’s guidance aligns with a new resource aimed at helping educational officials and communities develop effective cellphone policies.

This resource also references U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s warning issued in 2023 regarding social media’s effects on young people. Murthy noted, “More research is needed to fully understand the impact of social media; however, the current body of evidence indicates… profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.”