More students head back to class without one crucial thing: their phones
Sequoia Carrillo, September 1, 2025
Excerpt: "In Texas, every public and charter school student will be without their phones during the school day this fall. Brigette Whaley, an associate professor of education at West Texas A&M University, expects to see "a more equitable environment" in classrooms with higher student engagement.
"Last year, she tracked the success of a cell phone ban in one west Texas high school by surveying teachers throughout the year. They reported more participation by students, and also said they saw student anxiety plummet – mainly because students weren't afraid of being filmed at any moment and embarrassing themselves.
" 'They could relax in the classroom and participate,' she said. 'And not be so anxious about what other students were doing.'
"The findings in west Texas align with results from many of the states and districts that are heading back to school without phones: Students learn better in a #PhoneFree environment. Getting cell phones out of the classroom is a rare issue with significant bipartisan support, allowing a rapid adoption of policies across red and blue states alike.
"Some 31 states and the District of Columbia now restrict students' use of #CellPhones in schools, according to Education Week."
Read more / listen:
https://www.npr.org/2025/09/01/nx-s1-5495531/more-states-now-ban-cell-phones-in-schools
#TechAddiction #SmartPhoneAddiction #ReadABook #TalkToAFriend #TakeNotes #Handwriting #PayAttention #LessDistractions #LessScreenTime
