A state debate about whether or not people can use cell phones has arrived at Oshkosh North High School as Wisconsin lawmakers consider new restrictions. A State Assembly bill passed that would mandate every public school district’s board of education to implement policies banning cell phones while in school by July 1, 2026. The bill has not been passed in the Senate. The proposed bills allow students to utilize their cell phones in situations of emergencies, health issues, or if a teacher provides permission for classroom work.
Oshkosh North already bans phones from classrooms and other areas of learning but not the hallways, cafeteria, or media center. It is a compromise in hopes to reduce classroom distractions without imposing an all-day ban, allowing the students some freedom while keeping the class on track.
Supporters of the bill argue that stricter controls will lead to improved focus and mental well-being for students. Subsequent to a recent Pew Research Center survey, 72% of U.S. high school educators report cell phone distraction as a major concern in classrooms. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that 72% of school principals believe that phones have a negative effect on mental health. Approximately 77% of schools across the country ban phones in class, and about 30% of schools prohibit them in other circumstances during the course of the day.
Not everyone is in favor of tighter restrictions. Students and parents are concerned that they will lose the facility for instant contact in case of emergencies. Some believe that smartphones can be useful for education if used judiciously. In a 2022 Frontiers in Psychology article, phones, when designed deliberately to be part of education, can aid student-centered learning.
As the state works through the Iowa vs. Tuma problem, Wisconsin schools and Oshkosh North are sorting out how to balance student welfare, safety, and learning in the internet age.
