Away For The Day | Latest News - Elementary and middle school cellphone bans proving popular, as debate moves to high schools

ATLANTA — A mandatory cellphone ban could be coming for all public high schools in Georgia after the positive outcomes reported by schools that have already implemented such policies.

A new state law will require every public elementary and middle school in the state to lock up students’ phones and other personal devices starting next fall, but many already have such policies in place, including at high schools.

Teachers have reported strong support, with 92% backing an extension of the ban to high schools, according to a survey of 3,000 educators by Georgia Southern University detailed at a state Senate hearing Wednesday.

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Read the full article here.

Joey Estes, 11th grade: “Even myself. Me and my buds used to play video games on our phones but now we actually talk more.”

November 7, 2025

Indiana has a relatively new law that bans cellphones in instructional settings, and schools are already seeing an impact

October 26, 2025

According to the researchers, student scores in the school district notably increased by "about 2-3 percentiles" in the second year of ban compared to year before the ban

October 9, 2025

According to the researchers, student scores in the school district notably increased by "about 2-3 percentiles" in the second year of ban compared to year before the ban

October 21, 2025

Alabama schools are experiencing a significant change this year as the Focus Act, a new law banning cellphones in classrooms, takes effect, aiming to improve focus and reduce distractions in schools across the state.

October 17, 2025

Middletown schools actually implemented a cellphone-free environment in 2022 and reaffirmed it last year, saying the policy had "significantly enhanced classroom learning experiences across our district.

August 11, 2025

As the first day of school approaches, Jefferson County Public Schools is gearing up for a complete cellphone ban districtwide.

July 25, 2025

A big change is coming to New York City public schools beginning this September, aimed at eliminating distractions in the classroom.

July 24, 2025

Oelke said that she had previously worked at a school with a zero-tolerance cell phone policy. “It was absolutely one of the best teaching years that I have had in over a decade,” Oelke said.

July 22, 2025

Officials with the Phoenix Elementary School District said they follow "away for the day" guidelines, where students have to turn their phones off once they get to campus.

April 14, 2025

Anchor Bay schools are going cellphone-free this fall. The district is planning to roll out a new “Away-for-the-Day” device policy at the start of the 2025-26 school year.

April 28, 2025

Schools that have adopted “away for the day” policies, including those in Colorado, Ohio, Portland and elsewhere, say that the lunchroom is loud again.

June 18, 2025

Anchor Bay Schools calls it the “Away-for-the-Day” device policy, and some parents have told Local 4 that they have safety concerns about it.

May 1, 2025

'Away for the day' cellphone rule to remain in place in Harrison County (West Virginia) schools

July 10, 2025

Every school district in Tennessee will have some form of a cellphone ban once school starts in a few weeks due to a new state law.

July 15, 2025

Ohio private schools don't have to follow the new student cell phone ban. Some are anyway

July 15, 2025

Under the new policy, Scotia-Glenville middle and high school students will be required to keep their phones in their lockers from the start to the end of the school day. The district has decided against using phone pouches.

July 16, 2025

Elementary and middle school cellphone bans proving popular, as debate moves to high schools

Fewer distractions in Texas schools after phone ban. Can academic growth follow?

Districts adopting Away For The Day policies in kindergarten through eighth grade and no cellphones

Banning Phones in Schools Is Drastically Changing the Behavior of Kids

Joey Estes, 11th grade: “Even myself. Me and my buds used to play video games on our phones but now we actually talk more.”

Ann Arbor parents petition for full-day cellphone ban in schools

Pa. lawmakers want phones out of classrooms. How one Pittsburgh-area school made the switch.

Phone Ban Brings New Energy to High School Classrooms Across the Capital Region

Nearly 3 in 4 principals believe banning cellphones has big upsides for school climate

Governor Signs School Cell Phone Ban

A phone-free McMurray: Lessons one year in | Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

A phone-free McMurray: Lessons one year in | Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Belle Vernon board debates districtwide "away for the day" cell‑phone policy for K‑12

Indiana has a relatively new law that bans cellphones in instructional settings, and schools are already seeing an impact

Many area schools already have cell phone policies as new bill waits to be signed

Catholic schools reevaluate cellphone policies in light of statewide ban

Pa. Senate explores restricting cell phones in K-12 classrooms

According to the researchers, student scores in the school district notably increased by "about 2-3 percentiles" in the second year of ban compared to year before the ban

According to the researchers, student scores in the school district notably increased by "about 2-3 percentiles" in the second year of ban compared to year before the ban

Alabama schools are experiencing a significant change this year as the Focus Act, a new law banning cellphones in classrooms, takes effect, aiming to improve focus and reduce distractions in schools across the state.

Vermont school district says cellphone bans are showing positive results

Central Texas high school seniors sound off on cell phone ban: ‘There’s a lot more conversation in class’

This Houston boys' school just took a radical step against student cell phones

Hampden Academy is the first school in the Bangor region to ban students from using devices during the school day.

Switzerland’s top principal says no social media until after 18

Cell Phone Bans in a National Sample of US Public School Principals

New Jersey students could soon face a ‘bell-to-bell’ cell phone ban in schools

Kentucky High Schools Banned Cell Phones, Students Started Checking Out Books

Newton school district data shows cellphone ban policy is being enforced

Cellphone ban means less drama, more focus for some North Dakota students

Cellphones made students into zombies. Missouri’s ban is already working

This school banned cellphones six years ago. Teachers — and many kids — couldn’t be happier.

New Jersey school makes hilarious video about their new phone ban

Long Beach USD approves new student cellphone policy

From burner phones to decks of cards: NYC teens are adjusting to the smartphone ban

Shawnee Mission Schools review cell phone policy

New Haven schools embrace phone-free learning with Yondr pouches districtwide

Two Weeks Into Cellphone Ban At Evanston High School: 'Kids Aren't Phone Zombies’

How Oklahoma's cell phone ban in schools almost didn't happen

How is Alabama’s school cellphone ban going? Teachers call it ‘wonderful

South Korea bans phones in school classrooms nationwide

Georgia will require all public elementary and middle schools to ban cellphone use during school hours by next fall.

Massachusetts Senate advances cell phone ban for schools

Missouri districts begin new school year with state-mandated cell-phone ban

Was It That Easy?’ Teachers Weigh In On the New Cell Phone Bans in Schools

Schools are banning students from using cell phones. But where will they put them?

‘A great start:’ Norman Public Schools student, staff reflect on phone ban’s first week

Teacher rejoices over impact of school cellphone bans

Oklahoma welcomes students, but not their cellphones, back to school

Middletown schools actually implemented a cellphone-free environment in 2022 and reaffirmed it last year, saying the policy had "significantly enhanced classroom learning experiences across our district.

Cell phones are banned in Texas schools. Here's how DFW districts are enforcing that.

Twenty-two states enacted K-12 cellphone bans so far in 2025

How much is your NYC school getting for state’s new cellphone ban?

New Florida law targets cellphone use in schools

Tennessee enacts statewide classroom cell phone ban

Caught with a cellphone in school? Here are the consequences at one major Alabama system

Mass. Senate passes school cell phone ban

Topeka Public Schools to ban phones in classrooms this school year

Amarillo phone ban helped end vaping, fights

As the first day of school approaches, Jefferson County Public Schools is gearing up for a complete cellphone ban districtwide.

A big change is coming to New York City public schools beginning this September, aimed at eliminating distractions in the classroom.

Oelke said that she had previously worked at a school with a zero-tolerance cell phone policy. “It was absolutely one of the best teaching years that I have had in over a decade,” Oelke said.

Officials with the Phoenix Elementary School District said they follow "away for the day" guidelines, where students have to turn their phones off once they get to campus.

Anchor Bay schools are going cellphone-free this fall. The district is planning to roll out a new “Away-for-the-Day” device policy at the start of the 2025-26 school year.

Schools that have adopted “away for the day” policies, including those in Colorado, Ohio, Portland and elsewhere, say that the lunchroom is loud again.

Cellphones, watches, earbuds restricted in Alabama schools this fall: What you need to know

Wenatchee Schools to Enforce Cell Phone-Free Policy Starting Fall 2025

Last year, Poughkeepsie City School District implemented an ‘away for the day’ policy at the middle and high school.

The new “away for the day” policy was approved by the district’s governing board Tuesday night.

Anchor Bay Schools calls it the “Away-for-the-Day” device policy, and some parents have told Local 4 that they have safety concerns about it.

'Away for the day' cellphone rule to remain in place in Harrison County (West Virginia) schools

Every school district in Tennessee will have some form of a cellphone ban once school starts in a few weeks due to a new state law.

Ohio private schools don't have to follow the new student cell phone ban. Some are anyway

Under the new policy, Scotia-Glenville middle and high school students will be required to keep their phones in their lockers from the start to the end of the school day. The district has decided against using phone pouches.

Texas implements statewide ban on cell phones and smartwatches in schools to curb distractions

Missouri student cell phone ban signed into law

Ohio school districts prepare to implement new budget’s ban on cell phone use by students

A new school year will bring cell phone bans, new classes, and new education costs

Massachusetts one step closer to banning cellphones in schools

Cellphones banned in NC schools? What to know about new legislation