Banning Phones in Schools

In this article, Addison Allen discusses whether or not phones should be allowed in schools in context of the Oregon executive order.

Banning Phones in Schools

By: Addison Allen

On July 2, 2025, the Governor of Oregon, Tina Kotek, passed a state executive order banning cell phone use during school hours. All Oregon School Districts are instructed to enforce this necessary change by Jan. 1, 2026. Phoenix-Talent is the only public school that has decided to wait until the deadline to make this game-changing adjustment. The purpose of this order is to create a more ideal learning environment for all youth, as it gets increasingly more difficult to focus. This policy is completely justified in ensuring that education is not hindered by an obstacle as manageable as cell phone use.

Access to the internet has never been more widespread than it is now. According to NPR, “84 percent of teenagers now have their own phones.” Though the school board has no control over this astonishingly high number, more and more staff members are inclined to step in within their classrooms. Previous to the phone ban, most teachers were responsible for coming up with their own rules regarding when and if at all phone usage could be allowed. Inevitably, this resulted in variation amongst phone tolerance from class to class. Some teachers would allow cell phone usage outside of instructional time, while others would have strict, severe punishments if the device is even in sight. Very swiftly, it became clear that repeatedly telling students to put their phones away during instructional time was redundant and ineffective. A widespread change needed to be made.

Image of a crossed out phone, credits to Education Week

This policy, known as “bell to bell,” completely eliminates phone use during the school day. Students who have become used to checking their phones during passing period or lunch breaks are now restricted from that liberty. The founder of Better Screen Time, Andrea Davis, boldly states that “at a time when Oregon faces both an education crisis and a teen mental health epidemic, we cannot afford to implement half-measures.” Schools are no longer beating around the bush: phones are at the heart of the issue, so they should be dealt with directly and completely. Unfortunately, some students have taken advantage of other privileges, like the right to go off campus for lunch, in order to cheat themselves of the benefits of the phone ban. Some kids are choosing to sacrifice eating a healthy meal for the purpose of using technology where they can not be monitored. Not only is this choice harming their well-being, but students are also missing out on the opportunity to interact with peers without any distractions. However, this problem is being managed without sidestepping the phone order: the school provides and encourages students to take to-go meals with them off campus. This example not only reveals the state’s imperfect order, but also demonstrates the length that they are willing to go to create a safe, distraction-free environment for their students.

Image of a phone cord restraining hands, credit to Eagle Ranch Academy

The correlation between phones and academic success cannot be ignored. Phones are the gateway to increased plagiarism, frequent class disruptions, and cyberbullying. However, when given the choice between working and scrolling, most teenagers are going to choose scrolling. They are simply incapable of making the smart, healthy decision for themselves. Sadly, this is exactly by design. The device that few American teens are found without is programmed to suck you in. The University of Texas explains that “smartphones are so addictive because every time we use them—to like an Instagram post, watch a YouTube video, or play Wordle—it triggers a surge of dopamine.” Teenagers are especially susceptible to these algorithms due to their ongoing brain development. Because they cannot protect themselves from the consequences of phone overuse, their society has to step in. Adolescents are no match for the time-consuming and mentally draining tricks embedded into their day-to-day lives.

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