Many educators have grown concerned with student cell phone use in schools and the impact on student learning and wellbeing. Educators across the nation have reported students having trouble concentrating, acting out, and being frequently absent. Many blame cell phone use claiming it is disrupting student learning. As a result, the use of cell phones in schools has been the subject of recent legislation and policy initiatives across 33 states. In Iowa, a recently enacted law requires public schools to create policies limiting the use of cell phones during instructional time. 

Studies are not clear on whether the lack of cell phones helps students. According to some studies in other nations, a cell phone ban made no difference. However, though it is still too soon to tell how much of an impact this change will have on students in Iowa, early feedback from schools already operating under stricter device rules suggests positive outcomes. For example, some districts, including those that piloted bans last year, report decreases in suspensions, increases in grades, a more attentive classroom dynamic, and louder lunchrooms seemingly full of more conversation and social interaction. At the same time, schools are navigating how to implement the law fairly, handling exemptions, managing how to store devices, and dealing with pushback from students and parents who rely on their phones for social connection or for some academic purposes.

“…there definitely is a lot more conversation going on, and people are making more friends and connections…”

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