Multiple US School Districts Enforce Student Cellphone Bans

Several U.S. states and school districts have implemented or are planning strict bans on cellphone use during school hours to reduce distractions and improve academic performance. In Georgia's DeKalb County, the Disconnect to Reconnect program requires students to keep phones in backpacks during the school day, with positive results in student conduct and learning environment. New York enacted a statewide K-12 ban on smartphones in classrooms, mandating students hand over devices after the bell, which has sparked both support for reducing AI-assisted cheating and criticism over safety concerns in emergencies. Similarly, New Jersey's Brick Township Board of Education proposed a comprehensive ban on electronic devices on school property and buses, reflecting a trend among other districts in the state to minimize distractions and protect privacy. In South Dakota, about one-third of school districts now lock away or remove students' phones during school hours to encourage social interaction and prevent misuse of social media. Overall, these policies highlight a national movement toward balancing technology use with educational focus and student safety.