‘Bell-to-bell’ school cellphone bans gaining popularity

Nearly half of American adults — 48% — support all-day cellphone bans for middle and high school students, up from 36% two years ago.(CN) — Americans who favor keeping middle and high school students off their phones for the full school day now slightly outnumber those who oppose the idea, according to a Pew Research survey released Wednesday.Forty-eight percent of U.S. adults support “bell-to-bell” cellphone bans, while 43% oppose them and the rest are undecided. That marks a clear shift from 2024, when only 36% backed all-day restrictions and a majority opposed them.A July 2025 Pew survey found that 74% of U.S. adults supported banning cellphones during class and 44% backed all-day bans, both up from the previous year, though opposition to full-day restrictions still slightly outnumbered support.In-classroom bans continue to draw much stronger favor. Seventy-seven percent of adults support prohibiting phones during class, while just 18% are against the policy. Support for both approaches has climbed each year Pew has measured it.According to an Education Week tracker updated in late July, at least 39 states and the District of Columbia now require school districts to ban or restrict student cellphone use during the school day. Additional states encourage or incentivize local districts to adopt their own limits. The push reflects a broader shift among education leaders who argue that restricting phone access can improve students’ focus, mental health and classroom behavior.Younger adults remain the most resistant. Only 28% of those 18 to 29 favor all-day bans, compared with half or more of every older age group. Even so, a majority of young adults still support keeping phones out of the classroom.Partisan differences appear as well. Fifty-five percent of Republicans and Republican leaners back full-day bans, versus 44% of Democrats and Democratic leaners. Support for in-class restrictions is high in both parties but higher among Republicans.The survey of nearly 10,000 adults was conducted in late May and early June. The rise in public support comes as a growing number of states have moved to limit student phone use during the school day.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads