Cellphone bans: a bipartisan trend

In a growing bipartisan movement, governors from both the Republican and Democratic parties, including Arkansas’ Sarah Huckabee Sanders and California’s Gavin Newsom, are advocating for bans on student cellphone use during school hours. This trend, driven by concerns over mental health and classroom distractions, has seen at least eight states enact such measures. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy emphasized the need for “phone-free times” in schools, highlighting the negative impact of screen time on children. While 77% of U.S. schools reportedly prohibit non-academic cellphone use, enforcement remains inconsistent. Kim Whitman, co-founder of the Phone Free Schools Movement, noted that “all children are struggling” with the pressures of mobile devices. However, opposition exists, with some parents arguing for the necessity of phones in emergencies. Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, cautioned that bans may not address deeper issues like bullying and social media dangers.