What’s new: On December 4, the U.S. Department of Education released the Planning Together: A Playbook for Student Personal Device Policies. The guide helps schools and districts create or update policies for student cell phone use, emphasizing collaboration with students, parents, and educators.
Why it matters: As cell phones become a central debate in education, schools are navigating how to balance classroom focus with connectivity and safety concerns.
By the numbers:
- 40+ states introduced legislation in the last two years related to student use of cell phones and/or social media protections.
- 18 states have passed state policy related to cell phone and/or social media use.
Now what?
- More states are likely to put forth legislation, especially with only four states having split party between the governor and state legislature, these policies may advance quickly in the new year.
- In addition to (or in absence of) state action, districts will continue to enact or iterate on local policies with many looking for guidance in balancing the need for fostering digital citizenship of students.
- Social media restrictions may increase as companies respond to international pressure; Australia is the first country to move forward with a ban on social media for minors under the age of 16. [The Associated Press]
