This school year, all K-12 public schools, charter schools, and BOCES across New York State are going distraction-free! That means our kids are going to spend less time scrolling, and more time learning and creating real, in-person connections with their peers.
26 states have laws or policies that either ban or limit the use of cell phones in K-12 classrooms.
The total number of states with some form of statewide policy, including those that require school districts to adopt their own policies, is approximately 34 to 35.
These limits on cell phone use during school time is a good thing for child and adolescent development. There are plenty of studies now that document the barriers and obstacles to learning and social connections and the hampering of cognitive and mental health that the obliquitous presence of cell phones create.
Limiting the use of cell phones in all areas of life would contribute to an enhancement of human well being and functioning. Cell phones have their place and are a useful tool but an over dependence on them and used for the wrong reasons create problems for human functioning.
The big question is "Are we in control of the technology or is the technology in control of us?"
The use of cell phones in public gatherings like schools which foster addiction is a public health issue.
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