Most Washington schools set restrictions on student phone use for upcoming academic year

Most public schools in Washington state will have policies in place this school year to limit student access to cell phones and smart devices during instructional time, according to a recent survey by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Educators across the United States have raised concerns about the disruptive effects of cell phones and smart watches in classrooms. A 2023 study by Common Sense Media found that young people receive hundreds of notifications daily, with about a quarter occurring during school hours. The study also showed that students check their phones more than 100 times each day.

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal addressed these issues, stating, “Our educators, parents, and families are seeing, on a daily basis, how students’ learning is disrupted—repeatedly—by their smart devices. As an education system, we have a responsibility to protect the learning environment, removing disruptions and ensuring our policies are updated regularly to address emerging needs.”

Reykdal added, “A year ago, I challenged school district leaders across the state to adopt a policy to restrict student access to cell phones during instructional time. After surveying school districts this spring, we know that the vast majority (75%) will have a policy in place by the start of the school year that limits the use of smart devices during class time.”

The OSPI survey found that among districts implementing new policies at the start of the year, 53% will restrict device use only during instructional periods while 31% require devices be put away for the entire school day.

Reykdal commented further: “Our young people are navigating a deeply connected online world where they have 24/7 access right at their fingertips. There are benefits to these powerful technologies if used responsibly. There are also tremendous risks. Studies have found negative impacts on mental health, learning, sleep, and more. I’m proud of our school district leaders who are tackling this problem head-on.”

Among districts with established policies limiting device use at school, 61% reported community satisfaction with their approach.