Disruptive or helpful? Distracting or educational? You can make the case for both sides of the coin when it comes to banning cellphones at school. Research has shown that prohibiting smartphone usage in places of learning can lead to improved academic performance. But whether parents and educators like it or not (your tech-addicted tween or teen likely does not), many states or districts within them are moving full steam ahead to pass laws that get rid of phones in the classroom, and some have done so already.

 As of February 18, 2025, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) in California implemented a ban during school hours in which students must turn off and put away their phones, smartwatches and earbuds (with exceptions for emergencies, health needs and students with disabilities).

Tennessee just passed a bill banning personal devices at school in cases other than emergencies, and it’s now in the proverbial hands of their Governor. In his State of the State address last week, Ohio’s Governor said he too wants to pass a law to ban smartphones during school hours. Meanwhile, Florida already has a law in place that prohibits cellphones while in class, but some legislators want to take things a step further and ban phones throughout the duration of the school day.

As with any amendment or drastic measures, there are going to be multiple opinions, as well as both advantages and disadvantages. Here are the biggest pros and cons to banning smartphone usage at school, according to educators, surveys and yes, even a little bit of science:

Upsides to banning phones at school

• Reduced distractions in class, which can result in improved learning and academic performance

• Limiting screen time, which has been shown to improve sleep better sleep and limit behavioral problems and obesity rates in children

• Fewer instances of cyberbullying, which can caus anxiety and depression, especially in teens

• More IRL social interaction with peers in between classes (like during lunch and recess, as well as drop-off and pick-up), which helps strengthen kids’ social skills

Downsides to banning phones at school

• Not being able to use the internet (including ebooks, apps etc) as a tool for learning

• Not being able to learn self-discipline when it comes to technology, as well as good digital citizenship in the context of school

• Kids could develop anxiety over not having access to their phone in the case of an emergency

• Difficulty in actually executing the ban, which can lead to arguments between school staff and administrators

Of course there’s a lot more to consider before we completely abolish cellphones at places of learning. But these pros and cons are a good starting point for lawmakers, educators and parents.

Where do you stand on this issue? Would you be happy or upset if your school district banned phones and smartwatches entirely?

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