Massachusetts has been working to pass a statewide phone ban in all public schools. The idea of phone-free schools is causing many students to feel anxious. Some students value their already limited phone time, while others think the ban would allow more socializing and less scrolling.
The policy was passed by the Massachusetts Senate on July 31, 2025, but not yet by the House, and no voting date has been scheduled.
If the ban passes, all students would place their phones in a pouch, locker, or a storage system set up by their district. Each student would be required to turn in their phone at the beginning of the school day and not have access to it until they leave the building.
Not all students agree with the proposed policy.
“Do we really need to change something that already works well? Why take away our phone usage even more?” said sophomore Gwenn Mayo.
Other students don’t find phone usage in school to be distracting or harmful to their education.
“I’ve occasionally noticed people not following the current rules, but phones are not the biggest issue here at Wachusett. I’ve never been distracted by someone else not putting their phone in their assigned pocket,” said senior Ella Follansbee.
But Assistant Principal Lori Stattenfield said she agrees with the idea of the new policy.
“I would love to see students at lunch socializing rather than looking down at their phones,” said Stattenfield. “As a school, we like to encourage good citizenship, and I think the new policy would help promote that. Phones in high school can cause lots of distractions and drama, and the new policy would limit that.”
The act aims to create a safe environment for learning while promoting mental health for all students.
“‘An Act to Promote Student Learning and Mental Health’ requires all public school districts to adopt cell phone-free school policies by fall 2026,” according to The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Students said the new policy could solve some schoolwide issues.
“Administration has been trying for a long time to get people to stop bringing their phones into the bathrooms during the school day, and the ban would definitely solve this problem,” said sophomore Sam Rosen.
Students won’t be the only people at the school affected by the ban. Teachers in the art department, including Suzanne Breen, use phones in the classroom for activities such as photographing portfolios or timing live critiques.
“In my class, we use phones for classwork. Phones are used to photograph artwork for portfolios. This would be much harder with only the use of Chromebooks,” said Breen.
Breen said that digital cameras had previously been provided by the district.
“A long time ago, we used digital cameras to photograph portfolios, but they were expensive and not as effective as using phones,” added Breen.
Spanish teacher Erin Dubzinski said she also uses phones in her class for educational purposes.
“We use phones in AP to create faster speaking recordings. While the AP Classroom Chromebook works most times, it only allows one student to submit at a time, and speed speaking is navigated more quickly with the phone,” said Dubzinski.
Dubzinski said she likes the use of the phone pouch but doesn’t feel the need for a full ban.
“I value a teaching atmosphere free of distraction. The system we are working with is solid. Kids are very good about placing their phones away. Interaction between students leads to a less distracted atmosphere,” said Dubzinski.
Although the ban on phones is intended to create a safer school environment, students and teachers continue to feel conflicted about a full switch to a no-phone policy.
“I know that not all students will be in favor of banning cell phones, but I think it could really benefit the school mentally and socially,” said Stattenfield.
