[REVISION HISTORY]

Expansion of North American school digital device bans

Updated 16 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-26 01:48 UTC → 2026-09-28 04:39 UTC · added ~~removed~~

As of late September 2026, efforts to restrict digital devices in North American schools have expanded significantly. Forty-two U.S. states have implemented some form of cellphone restrictions, with Alabama, Arkansas, and Louisiana enforcing ‘bell to bell’ mandates. In New York, K-12 schools are entering the second year of a statewide bell-to-bell cellphone ban. The policy prohibits the use of phones, smartwatches, tablets, and other internet-connected devices during school hours, including lunch periods and transitions between classes. Basic flip phones used solely for calling and texting are typically permitted. In Michigan, a statewide ban has been enacted specifically for cell phones during instructional time. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, State Representative David Steffen has announced plans to introduce legislation for the 2027-28 session aimed at creating ‘screen-free classrooms’ for students from pre-kindergarten through second grade. This proposal seeks to eliminate the use of laptops and tablets for younger learners, with narrow exceptions for standardized testing, special needs support, and computer science requirements. ~~While some schools report academic improvements following restrictions, analysts warn~~ Recent research into these restrictions has yielded mixed results. A study of 2026 American data regarding the use of locking pouches found that ~~bans may not resolve fundamental~~ while phone usage decreased significantly, the effect on average academic ~~challenges.~~ performance was consistently near zero. High schools showed modest positive effects, while lower secondary levels showed slightly negative impacts. Analysts and experts continue to debate the efficacy of these measures. Lance Izumi, senior director of the Center for Education at the Pacific Research Institute, emphasized that cellphone bans are not a ‘silver bullet,’ stating that the decline in learning is deeper than the mere presence of mobile devices. ~~While studies link excessive technology use to anxiety and sleep disturbances, experts suggest the issue is multifaceted. Researchers continue to caution~~ Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath noted that ~~blanket bans~~ while screens may ~~negatively impact neurodivergent students.~~ assist with basic skills, they generally reduce focus and retention in core academic settings.

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