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As a former high school English teacher, I saw it all the time: The impact smartphones and technology had on students’ learning. We started the day with Chromebooks, but I saw it in their eyes by the time they plugged in that slowly dying device; they were dying, too. With glazed eyes and the inability to focus, I knew something needed to change.
While cell phones have been a typical part of growing up, today’s teens and young adults don’t know what it’s like to live without them. Nor do they know how to write cursive with a pen and paper or take a test that’s not online. And that’s a problem.
According to the Education Week tracker, 32 states have now restricted or banned the use of cell phones during at least part of the school day. With stricter policies being enforced, 70% of teachers favor banning phones all day, as recorded by the 2020-2024 American Association of Educators survey.
What started as a post-COVID issue, relying exclusively on technology to continue learning online, has now escalated to U.S. courts in Michigan, where CBN notes a “bipartisan bill passed overwhelmingly in the state House and is currently under consideration in the state Senate” to permanently ban Smartphones in schools. This momentum has now also spread to Washington, where lawmakers are examining the impact of screens and technological devices on students' learning.
During the Washington hearing, Jared Horvath, a former teacher and cognitive neuroscientist, warned that technology in classrooms undermines learning, and lawmakers need to be aware: "When tech enters education, learning goes down," Horvath testified. "It doesn't matter if it's a phone, if it's a laptop, if it's a desktop, and it doesn't matter who bought it," Horvath said. "Is it school-sanctioned? Does it have the word 'education' stamped on it? It doesn't matter. All of these things are also going to hurt learning, which in turn hurts kids' cognitive development."
Technology is an incredible gift that’s brought much enhancement to modern-day education, but it often comes at a cost. Emily Cherkin, faculty at the University of Washington, also testified that while technology may appear to “make our lives easier and prepare our children for the future,” it doesn’t. "Occupational therapists tell me they have to teach young children how to turn the pages of a book," Cherkin said. "Preschool teachers report that toddlers don't like getting their hands dirty anymore. I know one teen so addicted to his phone he seals it into a Ziploc bag and brings it into the shower with him."
As debates on how these bans are going to be enforced in local schools, BBC reminds parents that even these bans won’t be enough to cut screen time alone. It’s a good start, but we must adopt a community-first approach to see lasting change in our students.
Related Article
Christian Schools with Strict Cell Phone Policies Report Better Student Mental Health: Study
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/ ROBIN WORRALL
Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.
Originally published March 24, 2026.
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Facts Only
32 states have restricted or banned smartphone use during school hours
A bipartisan bill is under consideration in Michigan to permanently ban Smartphones in schools
Lawmakers in Washington are examining the impact of screens and technological devices on students' learning
70% of teachers favor banning phones all day, according to the 2020-2024 American Association of Educators survey
Executive Summary
Full Take
The article presents a constructive narrative that highlights the growing concern among educators and policymakers about the role of technology in classrooms. By focusing on research showing negative effects, such as decreased learning and cognitive development, the article advocates for stricter smartphone policies in schools. However, it also acknowledges that technology has been beneficial to modern-day education, suggesting a need for balance between its advantages and potential pitfalls.
Patterns detected: ARC-0017 Empowerment (constructive narrative), ARC-0024 Ambiguity (potential overgeneralizations about the effects of technology).
By emphasizing research pointing to technology's negative impact on learning, the article seems to support stricter smartphone policies in schools. However, it also acknowledges the benefits that technology brings to education, suggesting a need for careful consideration and balance when implementing these policies. Policymakers should be aware of the potential positive effects of technology while addressing concerns about its negative impact on students' focus and cognitive development.
Sentinel — Human
While the article appears to be written by a human due to its idiosyncratic emphasis and personal voice, it does show signs of uniform rhythm in some areas, which is a low-severity stylometric signal that could potentially suggest AI involvement. However, the presence of personal touches and unique perspectives make it more likely that this article is human-written.