OPINION — Teenagers report checking their cellphones 100 times a day, including at school. Offering instant access to social media, games and more, smartphones have the power to severely undermine an effective learning environment. At a time when reading and math scores are in steep decline among post-pandemic students, removing these distractions should be a no-brainer.
An increasing number of states are enacting bans on phone use in schools, but that’s just the first step. Federal guidelines would offer states a consistent structure and support.
But at the end of the day, parents should feel empowered to use the tools already at their fingertips and encourage their kids to develop healthy phone habits.
