WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Students surrendering their cell phones, headphones, and smartwatches are all part of one recommendation from the Kansas Task Force on Student Screen Time.
On Tuesday, that task force will present its recommendations to the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE). One of the recommendations is a bell-to-bell policy; this means students would not have access to their cell phones throughout the school day, even during lunch or passing periods.
Tuesday’s recommendations to the KSBE would help Kansas school districts draft policies. However, the recommendations would not be a statewide mandate. In some Kansas classrooms and schools, teachers and principals already have cell phone bans.
Cell phones in the classroom have become a significant challenge for educators. A Pew Research study found that in 2024, more than 70% of high school teachers say cell phones are a significant distraction during class.
“[Cell phones] impact students being able to learn, and they impact teachers being able to teach,” said Brian Houghton, task force co-chair, and Fredonia Schools 7-12 Principal.
The 36-member Kansas Task Force, which includes educators, parents, and students, cites the Pew Research study in its recommendations.
Lori Barnes, one of the parent members on the task force and an Arkansas City School District Board Member, said eliminating distractions plays a crucial role in ensuring students have an environment ready for learning.
“Like sitting in the lunch room and a kid wanting to have a conversation with somebody, but their nose is down in a cellphone,” Barnes said.
On top of screen time policy recommendations, the task force will provide suggestions on how to deal with mental health and screen time, as well as parent oversight of district-owned devices.
“Really leave a lot of ability for those schools to craft those [policies] with the help of their local administration, their school boards, their communities, their teachers,” Houghton, the Fredonia principal, said.
The recommendations include educators having students take breaks from screens and providing education on using technology in a more meaningful way. The goal is to see students focused on learning, not pulled away by their screens.
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