Schools across the US banned phones. Teens are demanding more offline support

In the United States, a growing number of students are advocating for their own digital wellbeing and pushing for the implementation of policies that restrict phone use in schools. With phone bans now in place in at least 39 states and Washington DC, young people argue that such policies are often poorly enforced and fail to address the underlying issues of screen addiction, such as social pressure and feelings of isolation.

Olivia Howard, a rising junior in New York, recalls growing up surrounded by technology and acknowledges that quitting devices cold turkey can be challenging for her generation. She emphasizes the need for alternatives to smartphones in the classroom, stating, "If legislators are implementing these phone bans, we need to take into account: what are the substitutes? Most kids my age have a relationship with technology, so there has to be other alternatives to replace it."

California recently enacted a law requiring schools to develop policies that limit phone use on campus. Elise Choi, a junior at the Orange County School of the Arts, supports the initiative but believes that simply locking up devices may not be sufficient. She highlights the importance of digital wellness education, explaining, "It's not a matter of how long we're on our devices but what it's doing to us when we're on it.

Our entire social lives are happening online, and digital wellness education is about giving students the understanding and skills to make better choices, set limits, and comprehend the impact on our health."

Students are taking proactive steps to shape phone policies at their schools. Liv Kong, a senior at Legacy Magnet Academy in Tustin, California, led a student advisory group that organized surveys and pilot phone policies. The idea arose after the school implemented a ban without student input, resulting in backlash. The students ultimately opted for a policy banning phones during class but allowing their use during breaks. Kong emphasizes the importance of giving students a voice in decision-making processes.

Vihaan Bhardwaj, a senior at Mount Everest Academy and a co-chief of the K-12 policy committee for GENUp, recalls the confusion and apprehension among students following a phone ban at a San Diego school district. He describes a committee of students from each school, meeting regularly with top education officials, to ensure policies are communicated supportively rather than being perceived as punitive.

In response to a middle school acne flare-up, 17-year-old Vihaan Bhardwaj joined GENUp and the broader movement to ban phones from schools. He explains that social media's influence exacerbated his mental health struggles, stating, "Social media made me feel like I was doing everything wrong – eating wrong, using the wrong products – making my experience with such a normal part of teenage life so dramatic, so life or death."

In rural schools, students have found creative ways to combat screen addiction. After noticing increased phone use after the art program was cut, two teens placed rolling "crafts carts" around campus where students could engage in alternative activities. Another student organized a phone-free scavenger hunt using disposable cameras, allowing students to complete challenges without their devices.

Cayden Boahene, a recent high school graduate from Democracy Prep Endurance high school in the Bronx, hosted a Wellness Day event during finals week, where nearly 100 students participated in board games, hoops, and formed new friendships without phones. Howard, a Valley Stream North high school senior, recounts how social media fueled an urge to compare herself to others, contributing to her mental health struggles.

She believes digital wellness education is crucial for equipping students with the understanding and skills to make healthier choices and set boundaries in their digital lives.