As cell phone bans in schools become more prevalent across various states and districts, a key question emerges: how do students themselves feel about these restrictions? In New Jersey, student journalists have delved into this topic, giving voice to a diverse range of opinions from their peers and educators.
SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
More than half the states have imposed bans or restrictions on student cell phone use in schools. While experts suggest these measures could improve focus and consequently boost educational outcomes, it’s essential to consider the students’ perspective. Let’s explore the insights shared by students participating in our Student Podcast Challenge, starting with eighth graders from Mount Olive Middle School in Budd Lake, New Jersey, where cell phone use is prohibited during lunch.
(SOUNDBITE OF PODCAST, “CELLULAR USAGE”)
ANTHONY PUGLISE: We asked students if we should have phones during lunch, and here are their thoughts.
FRANKIE CATAPANO: Hi, I’m Frankie Catapano.
LOUIS IOZI: Louis Iozi.
SANJANA: Sanjana.
ROMACGURO: This is Romacguro.
SANIYAH ALAM: Do you think we should have phones during lunch, and what are your thoughts?
SANJANA: I think we should have a system in place to, like, prevent people from, like, misusing phones, but I think we should.
FRANKIE: I think yes because students should be able to have the time to be kids.
LOUIS: Yes ’cause many kids have them in their pockets, and they never have the thought to go on them.
ELIJAH VER HOVEN: If we had phones during lunch, what would you do?
ROMACGURO: I would, like, play games on it.
FRANKIE: I’d probably watch, like, Netflix TV shows or watch, like, YouTube.
SANIYAH: We asked Mr. Barcia, our vice principal, if we should be allowed to use phones during lunch, and here’s what he thought about it.
DANIEL BARCIA: It’s a tough question, and probably not a kid-friendly response, but I’m going to say no. Lunch is the one time you guys get to socialize, and you’re actually encouraged to talk to each other and make friends. So using your phones would impede you from actually talking to each other and getting to know people.
UNIDENTIFIED STUDENT: Would you ever allow kids to have phones during lunch?
BARCIA: I mean, in theory, I would like to, but to me, it’s just sad. Like, you guys don’t hang out, and you don’t talk. Like, when I was your age, you couldn’t get us to shut up, right? We would be outside riding bikes, and everybody would meet at the park. You guys don’t do that. So I don’t know. It’s dangerous.
DETROW: That’s an excerpt from the podcast “Cellular Usage,” produced by Mount Olive Middle School’s Aria Palmisano, Saniyah Alam, Elijah Ver Hoven, and Anthony Puglise.
In Bernardsville, New Jersey, students at Bernards High School shared differing views, with policies varying by teacher.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
JACK MARTIN: From my perspective, phones should be banned in Bernards High School. On top of students having the phones be a distraction from learning, there’s also the aspect of social media and how it can be a toxic environment for students. There’s the whole talk about mental health. So I think it’s a very complicated topic. What are your thoughts, Ben?
BEN BALIAN: Well, I don’t think they should be banned. I think there’s a whole element of – what if there’s an emergency? I mean, earlier this school year, we saw a lot of stuff going on in schools that kids would need to be in touch with their parents. It can be a helpful resource. An interesting take on this…
GAIA ALBANESE: Yeah.
BEN: …Because she is an exchange student from Spain. So, Gaia (ph), why don’t…
GAIA: Yeah.
BEN: …You let us know about the…
GAIA: I can provide some…
BEN: …Policy?
GAIA: …Information about what it is to not have phones at all in school. The policy in my school is that if you are caught on your phone, you get your phone taken away until the end of the month. Personally, I believe that this rule is beneficial for your learning, for your focus, for your concentration and also for just socializing. I feel like you talk a lot more to your friends and actually have conversations, which is something that I’ve noticed is just not that common here.
BEN: Yeah, absolutely. I’m Ben Balian, joined today by Jack Martin and Gaia Albanese (ph). We’ll talk to you soon.
DETROW: These podcasts were written and produced by students for NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge. The 2026 contest will return in January.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
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