With the start of the new school year in several states, educational institutions have stepped up their efforts to minimize distractions caused by ubiquitous mobile devices. According to surveys, teachers frequently report that students’ cell phone use is a major hindrance to instruction. Several states have now issued policies directing public schools to adopt strict cell phone use policies.

Statistics show that more than 70% of high school teachers consider cell phone distraction to be a significant problem. But simply telling students to avoid cell phones often proves insufficient without structured supervision. To improve concentration during class, several districts require students to keep their devices in locked areas such as lockers or bags for the duration of the school day. Some confiscate cell phones from rule violators and store them securely until the end of school.

The reasons for this go beyond avoiding self-distraction. Unfortunately, mobile phones are also misused to bully fellow students online or share inappropriate content. By introducing uniform bans, authorities hope to reduce such cases of abuse while improving the learning environment. Initial reports suggest that mobile phone bans in some schools have already improved student engagement and interpersonal dynamics.

Several states have recently passed laws requiring public bodies to develop cell phone usage policies. These include Indiana, Louisiana and South Carolina, where the new policies are currently in effect. Other states provide grants to help with enforcement, such as Pennsylvania, which provides money for lockable cell phone cases. Even the governors of California and New York have promised to address the issue through future legislation.

Reactions to the bans have been mixed. Understandably, some parents, accustomed to constant contact with their teenagers, feel the restrictions go too far. However, the vast majority of guardians support restrictions during school hours for valid educational and safety reasons. Ultimately, keeping mobile distraction under control makes sense in order to raise focused, responsible and productive future generations.