Pew Study Shows Parents Support Restricting Cellphones in Classrooms

Written by PTC | Published October 16, 2024

LOS ANGELES (October 16, 2024) – The Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) said that schools across the country should eliminate cellphone use in classrooms in light of a new Pew Research Center study that found “68% of U.S. adults say they support a ban on middle and high school students using cellphones during class.”

“Pew Research found that a majority of parents support restricting cellphone access by children during the school day – a crucial, positive development. U.S. schools should take note that parents and teachers are in agreement about ditching these digital distractions in classrooms,” said Melissa Henson, vice president, Parents Television and Media Council.

In August 2024, the National Education Association revealed that 90% of its members “support school policy prohibiting cell phone/personal devices during instructional time,” and cited several concerns, including that smartphones are distracting, social media use impacts the mental health of students, and that smartphones can be weaponized against classmates and teachers.

“More schools are moving towards restricting cellphones, and 28 U.S. states have made efforts to do so. Each state should move towards prioritizing student learning and success by eliminating smartphones in classrooms. It is imperative for student success that their learning environments be free of distractions, and access to social media and other digital platforms on cellphones creates the opposite effect,” Henson said.

“With increased evidence that social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat have ignored warnings about harms to children, restricting cellphones in schools is even more urgent,” Henson added.

The PTC’s whitepaper, Smartphones in the Classroom: What States are Doing to Confront These Digital Distractions (July 2024) provides a look at current state efforts, and includes parents’ guide on how to advocate for more restrictive cellphone policies in schools.

Take Action. Stay Informed.