Ferguson proposes statewide school cellphone ban

SEATTLE — Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Tuesday that he will seek a statewide ban on student cellphone use during school hours in Washington public K-12 schools.

The proposed “Away for the Day” policy would prohibit personal smart devices, including smartphones and smart watches, from the first bell to the last bell. School districts would implement the policy in September 2027.

“Our kids are missing what’s written on the whiteboard and focusing more on memes instead of math because of digital distractions,” Ferguson said. “Science supports a phone-free school environment. No single policy can solve every challenge in education, but this one will make a big difference in our students’ social and academic engagement. I won’t let Washington be the last state in the nation to step up for our kids.”

Ferguson said he and his staff will travel across the state over the next three months to meet with students, teachers and other stakeholders on the proposal. Discussions will include enforcement options, district support, emergency communication plans and limited exceptions for students with IEPs, 504 plans or medical needs.

The governor said he expects to release a detailed proposal by Sept. 15 and prefile a governor-request bill Dec. 7.

According to the governor’s office, 95% of teenagers in the United States have smartphones, and 97% of those teenagers use them during school. The office said studies show teenagers spend an average of roughly a quarter of the school day on their phones.

At least 31 states and the District of Columbia restrict student cellphone use in schools, according to Education Week. Of those, 22 have bell-to-bell bans.

About 75% of Washington school districts have policies limiting cellphone use in classrooms, according to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.