How do you get teenagers to disconnect from their phones during school hours? This is a challenge many schools face as more than 30 states across the U.S. implement cellphone bans. One notable state is Kentucky, where all public schools must have cell-free classrooms. Each district sets its own rules, with some collecting phones at the start of each class or allowing use only during lunch.
In Jefferson County, which includes Louisville, the schools have adopted a “bell-to-bell” policy. This means students cannot use their phones from the moment they enter the school until the last bell rings.
To explore how this policy is playing out, NPR visited the Academy @ Shawnee, a magnet middle and high school in Louisville. Executive Principal Hollie Smith remarked on the noticeable difference since the ban. “Before the restrictions, it was hard to tell if the kids were learning. Many were just engaged with their phones,” she explained. Now, classes are filled with more discussions. Teachers and students are connecting, and even the lunchroom buzzes with conversations.
However, it’s clear that some students dislike the ban. Smith admitted, “I think they absolutely hate it. Their phones are their lives.”
So, is the ban effective? Educators and students seem to agree, reluctantly, that the policy has positive effects, though perhaps not in the intended way. To reduce distractions, Shawnee implemented Yondr pouches—locked pouches that keep cellphones secure while students are in class.
Students like Jayden O’Neil have found ways to work around these restrictions. “Most kids either bring an extra phone or break the pouches open,” she shared. Some students even distribute old phones as decoys.
Despite initial resistance, several students express a belief that the ban is helping them focus better in class. Joseph Jolly, a junior, observed that while many don’t strictly follow the rules, there’s an understanding among peers to minimize phone use during lessons. “I think we’ve become more productive,” he said.
The librarian, Anton Caldwell, has also noticed a surge in library activity. The number of book checkouts has dramatically increased—tripling from last year. “The kids are all about Jenny Han’s books,” he noted, referring to the popular teen romance author.
While the policy may not enforce absolute phone-free behavior, it is pushing students towards unplugging and cultivating a love for reading. Principal Smith sees this as a victory: “Are there kids that have their phones? Absolutely. But they’re respectful enough to keep them in their pockets or find other things to do.”
For more details on the impact of cellphone bans on students, you can check out this NBER research.
