Should schools ban cell phones?

School is out for the summer, and when students of two Seattle schools return in the fall, there will be some changes. Cell phones will be banned at Robert Eagle Staff Elementary and Hamilton International Middle School. 

Students will check their cell phone into a small lockable pouch when they arrive at school. Districts across the state and country have taken similar actions. Florida and Indiana have passed laws requiring districts to create policies that restrict phone usage during the school day 

This all comes amid a growing body of research on the impacts that smartphones have on teen learning and mental health. 

Guests:

• Lucía Magis-Weinberg, assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Psychology
• Kris Hagal, executive director of digital learning at Peninsula School District

Links:

• Seattle Times: Two Seattle schools ban cellphones 
• WA State Standard: Should Washington’s public schools ban students from using cellphones?
• Tacoma News Tribune: Local school district bans social media use at school. Here’s how they’ll enforce it