It's a tale as old as - not time - but the advent of social media and smartphones. How do the two impact mental health, especially of young children. New York Governor Kathy Hochul is considering banning smartphones in New York schools but could that happen in Tennessee?
An attempt was made earlier this year by Tennessee state Rep. Rebecca Alexander, a Republican representing Jonesborough, the state's oldest town, to bans cell phones in schools. Her bill would have required schools to stop students from using electronic devices during instructional time without permission.
Her bid failed, never making it past the Education Administration committee.
Sophie Elkins is a rising senior at Halls High School and the newest voice on the Knox County Schools board of education.
While she said she does believe cell phones can be distracting in schools, she doesn't see a need for a complete blanket ban. Her middle school, Halls Middle School, was a cell phone free campus and "students were more focused," she said.
During lectures, cell phones should be put away, but after that, it should be up to students to discipline themselves, she said.
That would also train students for future work place, she said, and teach them responsibility.
What do Tennessee school districts say about cell phones in schools?
Metro Nashville Public Schools' handbook prohibits students from using personal technology, including cell phones, iPads and portable gaming devices, during instructional periods except when used as part of the instruction, as directed by a teacher.
Shelby County Schools also prohibit students from possessing cell phones that are tunred on or visible during school time.
Knox County Schools also has a similar policy on cell phones. The devices must be turned off and kept in a backpack and can only used by permission.
Do other states have cell phone bans?
Three states recently passed laws banning or restricting cell phone use in schools. Florida was the first to do so in 2023. In 2024 alone, lawmakers in at least eight states have considered passing legislation to do the same.
Earlier this year, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill that requires school districts to limit cell phone use during class time. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a similar bill in May that requires every school district to establish an official policy governing cell phone usage during school hours.
Oklahoma, Washington, Kansas and Vermont and Connecticut have all introduced similar legislation.
What do teachers think of cell phones in schools?
High school teachers are more likely than others to see cellphones as problematic with 72% saying students being distracted by them is a major problem, compared to 33% middle school teachers and 6% elementary school teachers, according to a Pew survey done in fall of 2023.
The survey found that while most schools in the country have a policy around cell phones, it can still be difficult to enforce rules.
High school teachers are more likely than their peers to report difficulties in enforcing restrictions, the Pew survey reported.
Do cell phones really distract students?
According to previous reporting from USA TODAY, a Common Sense Media analysis of a small group of adolescents found they received nearly 240 cellphone notifications over the course of the day, a fourth of them during school.
Cell phones distract those young and old: Stateline reported findings from a survey of college students in 37 states and Alberta, Canada. The average respondent spent 19% of their class time engaged with a smart device for non-class use.
USA TODAY contributed to this story.
Areena Arora, data and investigative reporter for Knox News, can be reached by email at areena.arora@knoxnews.com. Follow her on X @AreenaArora and on Instagram @areena_news.
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