Let Schools Ban Phones, Not Policymakers
In this short opinion video, Michael Horn argues that states should not impose a blanket ban on cell phones in schools. He acknowledges that phones can be distracting and supports bell‑to‑bell bans in many schools, but contends that a top‑down, statewide prohibition is a mistake. Horn explains that some teachers deliberately use phones to poll students, check for understanding, and personalize learning, which can boost engagement. Drawing on his own classroom experience, he illustrates how phones can support active learning when used intentionally, and how they should be locked away when they are not. The core recommendation is to empower individual schools and teachers to decide on phone policies rather than leaving the decision to lawmakers who lack classroom experience.
