Current Events: Cell Phones Bans in Schools

States are restricting cell phone use in schools, citing harms to academic performance as well as mental health. Legally, states can require schools to control cell phone access and use because of the legal doctrine of in loco parentis, in which schools take the role of parent in terms of maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment. State laws vary from a full ban of cell phones in schools to a recommendation that schools adopt ‘a policy,’ whatever that ends up being.

As of September 2025, 34 states have laws or policies governing cell phone use in K-12 classrooms, with Oregon on the most strict end of the spectrum – a total ban. After the Oregon Legislature failed to pass House Bill 2251 in the last legislative session, Governor Kotek issued an executive order to put most of the provisions of that bill into effect. The state mandate requires each school district to adopt a policy by Oct. 31, 2025 with policies fully in effect by Jan. 1, 2026. According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, “the order allows exceptions, including if cellphones are needed for medical reasons or to support students with disabilities whose individualized education program calls for use of the devices.”

While students, parents, and teachers can all agree cell phone use is a distraction in schools, some parents fear the lack of communication with their children during the school day. Some are especially concerned about getting a hold of their kids if there is a school shooting. Implementation of these new policies varies by district in Oregon, with some schools banning phones from Day 1, while others are waiting until the mandate takes effect. Some districts are using locking pouches while others will rely on student self-control.

Essential Questions:

Essential Question #1 – Do students have a right to cell phone access during school hours?
Essential Question #2 – How does the doctrine of in loco parentis relate to the school cell phone bans?
Essential Question #3 – What are the potential problems and successes with implementation of Oregon’s cell phone ban in schools?

Vocabulary:

In loco parentis – A common law doctrine explaining that when children are entrusted by parents to a school, the parents delegate to the school certain responsibilities for their children.
State executive order: A directive issued by a governor to establish basic internal policy or procedure for the executive branch of state government. An executive order is not a law, but it can carry the force of a law.
Mandate – A government mandate is an official command, law, or regulation from a higher level of government that requires a lower level of government, private entity, or individual to take a specific action or comply with a certain rule.

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