WASHINGTON, Jan 21, 2026, 06:32 EST
- Only North Dakota and Rhode Island scored top marks on the new “Phone-Free Schools” report card, while Tennessee received a “C” grade. (PR Newswire)
- As of Jan. 13, Ballotpedia identified 38 states that have laws or statewide policies regulating student cellphone use, though the strictness of these rules varies widely. (Ballotpedia)
- Britain urged schools to adopt a “phone-free by default” policy and launched a consultation on kids’ social media habits, even considering a ban for under-16s. (Gov)
A coalition of child wellbeing groups unveiled a national “report card” Tuesday, grading all 50 U.S. states on their school cellphone policies. Only North Dakota and Rhode Island earned the top mark for keeping phones out of students’ hands throughout the day. “We are making clear which states are setting students up to thrive,” said Lina Nealon from the Institute for Families and Technology. (PR Newswire)
The pace of change is striking. What began as patchwork policies has evolved into statewide mandates, driven by concerns over distraction and school environment—and fueled by increasing political pressure to act on kids’ screen time. (Phonefreeschoolsreport)
Pressure is mounting abroad as well. This week, England’s schools were ordered to go “phone-free by default,” with inspectors tasked to verify if these bans are truly in place. This move is part of a wider effort targeting children’s social media habits. (Gov)
The U.S. report defined “bell-to-bell” as its highest standard—meaning secure, inaccessible phone storage throughout the entire school day. Sixteen states plus Washington, D.C. made the next tier, while eight states, including Tennessee, limited phone restrictions to instructional periods only. Montana and South Dakota received zero scores, as the report noted they hadn’t proposed any related bills. (Phonefreeschoolsreport)
Tennessee’s law, passed last year, mandates local school boards and public charter school authorities to implement policies banning student use of “wireless communication devices” during instructional time, with certain exceptions. Devices can be used for educational purposes if a teacher allows it, in emergencies or for health reasons, and when included in an individualized education program (IEP) or a 504 plan—both designed to support students with disabilities. (Tennessee General Assembly)
Ballotpedia, which monitors the patchwork of state rules, reported that 38 states had passed laws or policies on cellphone use in schools as of Jan. 13. Of those, 29 states impose bans or limits on cellphones in classrooms, including big players like California, New York, Texas, and Florida. This month, New Jersey’s governor signed a bill requiring districts to set restrictions with federal law exemptions. (Ballotpedia)
Public opinion is more complicated among students. A Pew Research Center poll of U.S. teens, highlighted by K-12 Dive, showed 41% favor bans on cellphones during class in middle and high school, but only 17% supported bans that lasted all day. Adults, according to previous Pew studies, showed much stronger support. When New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced his state’s new law on Jan. 8, he described it as a move against “distracting screens.” (K-12 Dive)
In England, the government’s latest guidance states that pupils should be without phones not only during lessons but also at breaks, lunch, and in between classes. Ofsted will now review schools’ rules on this and how well they enforce them when assessing behaviour. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson declared, “Mobile phones have no place in our schools.” (Gov)
The UK is considering stricter measures that go beyond just schools. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, cautioning that kids risk getting trapped in “a world of endless scrolling, anxiety and comparison.” At the same time, ministers are looking into tougher age verification and limiting features like “infinite scrolling,” Reuters reported. (Reuters)
Enforcement continues to be the biggest challenge, and that’s where bans tend to fall apart. Schools usually include exemptions for medical reasons and disability accommodations. On top of that, principals have faced resistance from parents who want quicker access to their kids during emergencies. The U.S. report clarifies it’s assessing policy design, not the actual hallway enforcement. (K-12 Dive)
The authors of the U.S. report said they intend to release state grades every year and pushed lawmakers to adopt full-day policies instead of just limiting class time. In the U.K., the government announced it will respond to its consultation this summer and issue screen-time advice for parents. (PR Newswire)
