Nearly One-Third of Washington School Districts Have Yet to Adopt a Cell Phone Policy, New Data Show

OLYMPIA—July 15, 2026—Recognizing the detrimental impacts to the learning environment, school districts across the country have adopted policies over the past few years to restrict student access to mobile devices at school.

In 2024, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal challenged school district leaders in Washington to lean into the growing body of research on this issue and adopt policies to protect the learning environment. Since then, 84 school districts have adopted policies, in addition to the districts that already had policies in place.

Over the next two years, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) worked with legislators on proposed legislation that would require school districts to adopt policies to restrict mobile devices at school. However, the proposals stalled in the Legislature, and the Legislature ultimately tasked OSPI with studying the current landscape on these policies.

“For years, educators, researchers, families, and experts in child development have been sounding the alarm about the damaging effects of screen time on youth learning and mental health,” Reykdal said. “Our students don’t need another study—they need us to act.”

This spring, OSPI surveyed school districts about their implementation of mobile device policies. Of the 82% of school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools who responded, nearly one-third (31%) reported that they do not have a policy in place. About 44% reported that each school within the district may adopt their own policy, leading to fragmented implementation within individual communities. 

“What we hear from students, families, and educators is that this kind of policy is most effective when it is implemented consistently,” Reykdal said. “From all schools within the district to all classes within the school, there are fewer hurdles when the expectations for students are clear and uniform.”

In OSPI’s survey this spring, 57% of school districts with policies to limit mobile device use reported a decrease in disruptions during instructional time, and 50% reported an increase in student engagement. In addition, 40% of districts with a policy reported an increase in interactions between students.

In the 2027 Legislative Session, Superintendent Reykdal will propose a bill that, if passed, would require all Washington school districts to adopt “away for the day” policies, where mobile devices are required to be stored away or left at home for the full school day. The legislation will allow for exemptions for devices to be used during classroom instruction when designated by the teacher, in emergency situations, when it is outlined in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan, or for health monitoring.

For More Information

Inside a Phone-Free School: Students Share Their Experience (OSPI Video)