Oregon Department of Education releases guidance on cell phone restrictions

The Oregon Department of Education released a new policy encouraging public schools to limit students’ cell phone use.

The guidance cites the associated mental, social and academic challenges as reasons to decrease screen time.

“We will be challenged to help students achieve their education goals, like reading and math skills, if students aren’t focused on learning when they’re in school,” said Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek in a press release. “Cell phones are a distraction and can harm students’ mental health and well-being if used inappropriately.”

Countless studies have already linked phones – particularly social media – with rising rates of anxiety and depression among adolescents. 

Other research links excessive screen time with declining academics, and many teachers report being frustrated by distracted students. 

Phones have also been found to create opportunities for cyberbullying, inappropriate “deep fakes,” and other sexually explicit content.  

ODE’s guidance cites a recent study saying more than half (54%) of students engage with sexually explicit material by 13. The guidance emphasizes the harms of excessive phone use but doesn’t mandate a particular solution, leaving it to each district to decide. 

Policy recommendations include: 

• “Educate school staff, students, families and caregivers about new policies and expectations”; 

• “Integrate Transformational Social Emotional Learning into efforts that foster a positive school environment”; 

• “Teach students about digital citizenship, media literacy, and healthy relationships”; 

• “Consider how the policy will be enforced so students do not lose instructional time”;  

• And “encourage teachers and school staff to model expected behavior.” 

The guidance also advises districts to “apply an equity lens to ensure that policies do not stigmatize or disadvantage those without cell phones and other mobile devices.”  

While phones are now recognized almost universally as detrimental, not all states are taking strong stances. 

According to EducationWeek, 16 states currently have policies on cell phones in schools.  

Three states – Arkansas, Delaware and Pennsylvania – incentivize districts limiting phones but don’t require it. Ten other states either recommend or require districts to have some form of policy. Only three states – Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina – restrict phones in public schools statewide.