Connecticut lawmakers approve bill for cell phone ban in schools but critics argue that having different rules for adults and students is not good role modeling at all

Date:
Fri, 01 May 2026 13:20:44 +0000

Description:
Connecticut has taken a big step closer to outright banning phones during the school day, but reactions to the news are mixed.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Connecticut is proposing a
legal ban on cell phone use during the school day If passed, this law will
see the state join 35 others in having cell phone restriction laws at school Studies and surveys largely seem to show cell phone bans as having a positive impact, but parents and lawmakers are mixed on it Connecticut could be about to join a long list of US states that are either restricting or outright banning cell phone use in schools.

As reported by the CT Insider (via The Sun ), lawmakers there have pushed through a bill that would require students to have their phones switched off and put away from the first bell until the last, with schools being able to decide whether the phones would be stored in backpacks, lockers, or locked pouches during that period. The bill still needs to pass before it will be signed into law, but with 35 other states already having some kind of legal cell phone restriction in schools, it seems fairly likely that this will get the backing it needs. Article continues below You may like UK still considers social media ban as Australia struggles with enforcement Should gigs be phone-free? Fred Again thinks so now have your say Wisconsin scraps VPN ban from age verification bill following backlash

This also follows the recent news that England is planning to ban phones in schools by law, as reported by the BBC . So this isnt just a shift in US attitudes its more global.

That said, its worth noting that the majority of schools in both the US and the UK already have restrictions in place; theyre just done on a school-by-school or regional basis, rather than being an actual law and in many cases theyre not full bans.

So, how much will change in practice remains to be seen, but its likely that these laws will make the bans more complete and perhaps easier to enforce. Surveys and studies suggest it's the right choice (Image credit: Getty Images / Boston Globe) The big question is how much difference that will make to the school experience, but while theres some debate over whether it would be a positive or negative change, most data suggests it should improve things. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

For example, a recent EdWeek Research Center survey of 79 district leaders, 122 school leaders, and 395 teachers found that 69% reported cell phone restrictions had a positive impact on behavior in the classroom, 70% found it had a positive impact on engagement in learning, 64% on overall wellbeing,
63% on learning and mastering content and skills, and 63% on social-emotional skills development.

The only area where most respondents said it had no real impact was attendance, which makes sense.

Plus, a report from the Paragon Health Institute cites several other studies that also show the positive impacts of banning cell phone use in schools, including that the change was associated with a 6.4% increase in national
exam scores in the UK. What to read next 'A spectacularly bad idea' Digital rights advocates call on Wisconsin lawmakers to reject VPN ban bill
Australias age verification rules: Is a VPN ban on the horizon? New York bill would ban legal and medical advice from AI chatbots It's not all upsides
There are, however, some potential downsides too. The same report highlights things like safety and emergency communication concerns, losing easy day-to-day parent-child communication, costs involved in enforcing bans, such as by purchasing expensive pouches to lock phones in, and concerns about the stress and separation anxiety that being parted from their phones could cause students.

Plus, some teachers report integrating cell phone use into lessons, with, for example, them being used for research or collaborative projects, especially when school internet connections are slow or when a schools firewall blocks educational websites and tools.

The Suns report on the plans in Connecticut also suggests parents and government officials there are split, with some supporting the proposed ban and others pointing out potential issues.

For example, Rep. Christie Carpino, a Cromwell Republican, argued that a one-size-fits-all approach isnt ideal, saying our 5-year-olds should be treated a lot differently than our 18-year-old students, while Republican
Rep. Lezlye Zupkus noted that we tell kids to do as I say, not as I do. Thats basically what this is doing. Teachers and administrators can walk around
with their cell phones, but students cant. This is not good role modeling at all in our schools.

So, its a complicated, nuanced issue, but it seems that both the US and some other countries are moving ever closer to blanket cell phone bans in schools, so whether good or bad, its a change thats probably coming. What do you
think? Should cell phones be banned in schools? Lets us know in our poll above. Today's best phone deals Contract Deals Sim Free gift Apple iPhone 17 24 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts 10GB data 19 upfront 34.99 /mth View at Mobiles.co.uk See all prices Apple iPhone 17 Pro 36 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts 1GB data 100 upfront 62.37 /mth View at Vodafone Ltd See all prices Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 36 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts 1GB data 50 upfront 54.75 /mth View at Vodafone Ltd See all prices Apple iPhone Air 36 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts 5GB data 40 upfront 41.49 /mth View at Vodafone Ltd See all prices Apple iPhone 16e 24 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts 1GB data 30 upfront 30.25 /mth View at Vodafone Ltd See all prices Samsung Galaxy S26 36 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts 1GB data
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/connecticut-lawmakers-approve-bill-for-cell-p hone-ban-in-schools-but-critics-argue-that-having-different-rules-for-adults-a nd-students-is-not-good-role-modeling-at-all


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