17 States, Isle of Man Enforce Schoolphone Bans Citing Student Focus, Mental Health

Several regions and countries have implemented or expanded all-day bans on smartphone use in schools, aiming to reduce distractions and improve students' mental health and academic engagement. In the U.S., states like Florida and New York have passed legislation restricting phone use during the entire school day, with New York’s law backed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and teachers' unions to promote distraction-free learning. Similarly, Isle of Man schools report positive reception to an island-wide phone ban started in 2024, with community support emphasizing the importance of children engaging with real-life experiences rather than screens. However, opinions among students are mixed; some appreciate the break from constant connectivity, while others feel stressed by the inability to contact parents or perceive inconsistent enforcement by teachers. Internationally, countries such as New Zealand and the UK have introduced similar bans, but studies suggest these measures do not consistently yield improvements in academic performance or wellbeing, highlighting challenges in implementation and enforcement. Overall, the debate balances the benefits of reduced distractions and mental health risks against the need for emergency communication and teaching responsible technology use.