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Australia, Canada, France, Israel, Spain, Sweden, Japan, Chile, Denmark, and England. These are the nations, among others, the US has joined in issuing cell phone bans in schools. A review of the research on smartphone and other mobile device bans in schools shows mixed results regarding benefits to academic progress, school engagement, bullying, and student wellbeing. There are also plenty of scholars, as well as students and parents, who have raised concerns about negative outcomes. Some report decreased wellbeing in the first year bans were implemented, feeling less safe, and increased disciplinary measures, which in the case of suspensions, restrict access to learning, thus inadvertently offsetting potential benefits.

Regardless of the opinions expressed or what the numbers show, there are more and more school systems in the US adopting cell phone ban policies, or, as our local school system in Montgomery County, MD calls it, PMD (Personal Mobile Device) Regulation. Whether you are jumping for joy, furious, or more neutral, some students are heading back to school in systems that require all PMDs be stored away, out of sight and out of use throughout the academic day—a.m. bell to p.m. dismissal bell and every minute in between. It is happening now.

As with any new policy or practice, these PMD bans will be an adjustment for faculty, students, and parents. High school students may have the strongest feelings about the loss of what some perceive to be a pseudo-bodily appendage. Students will need time to adapt. School staff will need to be steadfast with classroom enforcement. And if these policies have any chance of lasting, school administrators will need to be consistent in reinforcing expectations. Though parents cannot control any of these factors, there are some very important things they can do to make the transition to a non-PMD school day easier for........

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