In a 2024 poll conducted by the National Education Association, 90% of teachers said students should be required to put their phones away during instructional time, while 75% believe phones should be off-limits for the entire school day.
Teachers cited several concerns, including impacts on student learning, mental health, safety and behavior, and social interaction.
“If the phone is in their hands, there is zero engagement, zero focus,” said California science teacher Kim Tilton, one of the teachers interviewed by NEA.
The NEA’s findings align with other research on this issue. Last fall, a nonpartisan initiative called Phones in Focus surveyed 20,000 teachers and found that students are more focused without their phones, and teachers report greater satisfaction with the classroom environment.
Here in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, we are paying close attention to this matter — and rightly so. While many states have implemented statewide bans on student cellphone use, Pennsylvania has not. I want to change that. As a mother of four children in public schools, I share the concern of countless parents about the effects of unrestricted phone access during the school day.
Teachers frequently tell me this is a crisis demanding urgent action. They report students are distracted, withdrawn and increasingly difficult to engage. Teaching is becoming more challenging, and connecting with students is harder than ever.
So I’ve introduced the bipartisan House Bill 1814, which would prohibit students in public schools from using or possessing a cellphone during the school day. Students would have to secure their phones in a way that prevents access until the end of the school day — in a hallway locker or lock bag, for instance — with exceptions for certain emergency and medical needs approved by school authorities.
While my bill is pending in the House Education Committee, I also want to hear from residents about this important issue. I will be hosting a town hall on cellphones in schools at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel.
Some Pennsylvania school districts already have policies to limit phone use, but these rules vary widely and are often enforced inconsistently.
More than 30 other states restrict cellphone use in schools. Twenty-two states have a “bell-to-bell” ban, also known as an “away for a day” policy, while eight states restrict cellphone use only during instructional time, according to Education Week.
In the Pennsylvania House, we held a hearing on this issue in November, where educators and experts testified to the benefits of restricting cellphones in schools.
“Without phones as a distraction, students are more focused and present,” said Lisa Graham, a school counselor at Seneca Valley Intermediate High School, which implemented a “bell-to-bell” ban this year.
Mitch Prinstein, chief of psychology for the American Psychological Association, noted the average high school student uses their phone up to 20 minutes per hour during the school day, primarily for social media and AI platforms. This device use, he said, contributes to psychological problems and poor academic achievement—not only for the student using the phone but also for the student sitting behind them. “Youth themselves know that they are using devices too much and are now experiencing what scientists refer to as digital stress,” Prinstein added.
Beth J. Sanborn, president of the Pennsylvania Association of School Resource Officers, emphasized that limiting phone use during the school day also makes schools safer. She explained that students sometimes use their phones to continue arguments or plan fights, and in emergencies, unrestricted access can make it harder for students to follow safety instructions. “In crisis situations, cell phones create chaos,” Sanborn said.
I understand that parents want to stay in touch with their children during the day, especially in emergencies. However, schools elsewhere have found ways to balance safety with connectivity. For example, last year in Santa Barbara, Calif., district policy required storage shelves in classrooms so students could put their phones away during instruction, according to the NEA.
Polling also shows that support for restrictions is on the rise. Nearly three- quarters of U.S. adults support banning phones in high school and middle school classrooms, and nearly half support a “bell-to-bell” ban, according to recent polling by Pew Research Center.
It’s been 19 years since the iPhone debuted in 2007, and it’s now clear that Pennsylvania needs a statewide standard restricting cellphone use in schools.
We must create a more focused, respectful and productive learning environment in every classroom, foster healthier interactions among students and reduce the burden on teachers so they can focus on what matters most: teaching our children.
State Rep. Mandy Steele represents Pennsylvania’s 33rd House District in Allegheny County.
