According to a new Pew Research Center survey, support for cell phone restrictions in schools has reached new heights. More than three-quarters of U.S. adults—77%—support banning phones in classrooms during middle and high school. For a full-day ban, 48% of adults back the policy, making it the first time majorities favor what are called bell-to-bell restrictions. The support has risen from 68% in 2024 and 74% in 2025 for classroom bans, while 43% now oppose the idea, and 8% are unsure about full-day bans.
Today, the number more than doubles. Support spans most age groups, but dips sharply among 18- to 29-year-olds, where 28% support full-day bans—well below the overall average. Political leanings also show patterns: 81% of Republicans support in-class bans, while 55% favor full-day restrictions. Democrats are broadly supportive of in-class bans at 74%, but only 44% back full-day rules.
Real-world data follows these polling trends. Over 20 states have enacted full-day phone bans in schools. Early reports from these states show mixed outcomes. One study found long-term benefits for student well-being, but no link to improved test scores. Another noted a spike in suspensions in the first year of a ban, which normalized after a time, alongside a drop in unexcused absences.