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OLYMPIA¡ªAugust 21, 2025¡ªIn public schools across the U.S., educators report that cell phones and devices like smart watches cause disruptions to the learning environment. 

A 2023 study by Common Sense Media found that young people receive hundreds of notifications to their cell phones each day, with about a quarter of those notifications coming in during the school day. Further, the data revealed that the average young person checked their phone over 100 times each day. 

¡°Our educators, parents, and families are seeing, on a daily basis, how students¡¯ learning is disrupted¡ªrepeatedly¡ªby their smart devices,¡± said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. ¡°As an education system, we have a responsibility to protect the learning environment, removing disruptions and ensuring our policies are updated regularly to address emerging needs.¡±

¡°A year ago, I challenged school district leaders across the state to adopt a policy to restrict student access to cell phones during instructional time,¡± Reykdal continued. ¡°After surveying school districts this spring, we know that the vast majority (75%) will have a policy in place by the start of the school year that limits the use of smart devices during class time.¡±

In the survey by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), 53% of districts who will have a policy in place by the start of the school year said that their policy would restrict access to smart devices during instructional time only, while 31% said that devices must be put away for the entire school day.

¡°Our young people are navigating a deeply connected online world where they have 24/7 access right at their fingertips,¡± Reykdal continued. ¡°There are benefits to these powerful technologies if used responsibly. There are also tremendous risks. Studies have found negative impacts on mental health, learning, sleep, and more. I¡¯m proud of our school district leaders who are tackling this problem head-on.¡±

Of the school districts with policies in place, 61% said that their community is satisfied with the approach the district has taken. 

For More Information

• OSPI Brief: Cell Phone and Smart Device Use in Schools
• 2023 Common Sense Media Study:
• 2024 National Education Association Survey: