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Amid a National Debate, a New Massachusetts Poll Sheds Light on Parent Perspectives on Cell Phone Bans in Schools
A new EdTrust–Massachusetts poll reveals strong parent support for limiting student cellphone use during the school day

Here in Massachusetts — and across the country — an accelerating wave of education leaders and policymakers are adopting, or considering, new restrictions on student cellphone use. The national debate is shifting decisively toward tighter rules: at least 32 states and the District of Columbia now require school districts to ban or limit student cellphone use during the school day. Several additional states are either incentivizing or encouraging districts to implement their own restrictions.

Do mobile devices contribute to classroom distraction? Do they fuel social pressures, bullying, or disruptions to learning? Can limiting them improve school climate, focus, or safety? These questions are top of mind for policymakers and educators — and increasingly for families.

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In Massachusetts, lawmakers are signaling their support for stronger limits on student cellphone use. This past summer, the Massachusetts Senate passed S.2561, a “bell-to-bell” ban on cell phones during the school day, with certain exceptions for students with disabilities, medical needs, off-campus travel, or individualized education plans. The ban also requires schools to maintain reliable communication channels for caregivers and to provide reliable communication during emergencies.

According to state policymakers, prohibiting student cellphone use during the school day is intended to increase academic focus, support student mental health, and foster healthier learning environments. House leaders have also expressed interest in similar legislation requiring districts to limit or ban student cellphone use. At the same time, Governor Maura Healey has shown support for a bell-to-bell ban, provided that reliable communication channels for parents are in place.

Meanwhile, a growing number of individual schools and districts in Massachusetts, including Ipswich and Newburyport, Newton, Fall River, and Methuen, have already implemented personal phone bans — raising the question of whether a statewide standard should follow.

“Cell phone use in our schools is undeniably fueling distraction and undermining meaningful learning,” said Jennie Williamson, state director of EdTrust in Massachusetts. “We appreciate legislative leaders for taking this issue seriously, and this poll makes clear that parents overwhelmingly share these concerns. Their strong support for a statewide ban should give lawmakers the momentum needed to carry this bill across the finish line.”

But what do parents think? To answer that, we asked Massachusetts parents with students in grades 6-12 about their views, concerns, and priorities regarding cellphone and smartwatch use while students are in school, and here’s what they had to say:

• High device access: 88% of parents with children in grades 6-12 say their child has a cell phone or smartwatch
• The majority support a bell-to-bell ban: 66% of parents “somewhat or strongly” support a school-day (“bell-to-bell”) ban on cell phones and smartwatches
• Support varies slightly by race/ethnicity: Asian American and Pacific Islander parents show the highest support (75%), followed by white (67%), Latino (66%), and Black parents (61%)
• Support rises with educational attainment: Parents with a bachelor’s degree (74%) or an advanced degree (73%) are more likely to support a ban than those with some college (61%) or a high school diploma or less (54%)
• If a ban were implemented:
  • 63% of parents said they would want a way to contact their child during school
  • 49% would want more details about the policy and any exceptions
  • 37% would want information on how the ban supports learning and safety