As smartphone use soars among students, schools face an attention crisis driven by an economy built to keep users endlessly engaged. Educators warn that true learning requires focus and effort, not the instant gratification apps like TikTok and YouTube provide.
A national report shows 12th-grade reading and math scores have dropped to their lowest levels in decades. Educators cite absenteeism and smartphones as key concerns behind the decline.
Across red and blue states, leaders are embracing phone bans in schools inspired by Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, a movement uniting concerns over kids’ mental health and social media’s impact.
To retain teachers in challenging circumstances, districts must establish a culture that supports a sustainable work-life balance for teachers—and leaders.
The governor and lawmakers are nearing an agreement on a full-day smartphone ban known as “bell to bell,” a move supported by 62 percent of voters, according to a recent Siena poll.
Research on social media’s harmful effects has moved lawmakers to bipartisan action on banning cellphones in schools. Some experts warn that the bans might be difficult to enforce or may be outdated before they even take effect.
Students' sleep, classroom behavior, exercise or how long they spend on their phones overall also seems to be no different for schools with phone bans and those without, the academics found.
