SCHOOL CELLPHONE BANS HIT NEW SUPPORT PEAK

A new Pew Research Center survey reveals growing momentum behind bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions in middle and high schools nationwide. Seventy-seven percent of US adults support banning phones during class time, while 48 percent back all-day bans that extend beyond instructional hours. The latter figure represents a significant shift in public opinion—previously, Americans opposed full-day restrictions. The 12-point increase in support for all-day bans over two years signals changing attitudes about student phone use and classroom distraction. Schools implementing these policies cite concerns about academic focus and student wellbeing. Support spans across age groups, though the survey indicates generational differences in how Americans view the issue. As more districts adopt restrictions—some confiscating phones during school hours and others using phone lockers—the trend reflects broader national conversation about technology's role in education.