Study: School cell phone bans effective in keeping students focused, safe in CA, NY, NJ, FL, TX, IL

This figure is even higher in specific states: Illinois leads with 80 percent, followed closely by Florida and Texas at 78 percent each.Photo byDaniel RomeroonUnsplash

As the back-to-school season kicks off, a recent survey reveals that strict cell phone policies are having a significant impact on student engagement and classroom behavior across the country. Conducted by Study.com, the survey highlights that educators in several states are seeing marked improvements in their classrooms when such policies are enforced.

Nationwide, 68 percent of teachers report that strict cell phone policies have enhanced classroom behavior and reduced the time spent managing phone use each day by nearly 20 percent. This aligns with a broader trend of educators finding value in minimizing distractions and increasing student focus.

"At Study.com, we're committed to supporting educators by providing them with tools that save time and enhance the teacher-student relationship," said Dana Bryson, Senior Vice President of Social Impact at Study.com. "Our findings show that when teachers can concentrate on interacting with students rather than managing phone use, both engagement and behavior improve."

The survey highlights notable variations across states. For instance, 76 percent of teachers nationwide believe that strict policies have improved overall student engagement. This figure is even higher in specific states: Illinois leads with 80 percent, followed closely by Florida and Texas at 78 percent each.

Concerns about the ability to contact children and safety issues have been voiced by some parents. However, 70 percent of teachers in districts with strict cell phone policies report enhanced student safety, particularly in terms of bullying. Additionally, 69 percent of educators believe their own safety has improved under these policies.

State-specific data reveals significant variations:

• New Jersey and New York: 78 percent of teachers report increased student safety.
• Florida and Pennsylvania: 75 percent.
• Texas: 71 percent.

Teachers in California, New Jersey, and New York also reported higher-than-average improvements in classroom management due to strict cell phone policies.

The survey, which included over 1,100 middle and high school teachers, was conducted online from July 24 to August 6, 2024. It found that a diverse group of respondents, including approximately 71 percent White, 14 percent Black, 6 percent Hispanic or Latine, and 5 percent Asian, contributed to the findings.