Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal plan to ask lawmakers next year to ban student cellphone use throughout the school day in K-12 public schools statewide.
The proposal, announced Tuesday at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School in north Seattle, would prohibit students from using cellphones during class, lunch and passing periods.
The restrictions would apply throughout the entire school day, with exceptions for documented medical needs and certain education plans.
Ferguson and Reykdal said they want the policy in place by September 2027, ahead of the 2027-28 school year.
“Students are focusing more on memes than on math,” Ferguson said during the news conference.
The governor said the constant presence of smartphones is harming students’ academic performance and social development.
Statewide Rules Would Replace Local Policies
Most Washington school districts already have some form of cellphone restrictions during instructional time. However, policies vary widely from district to district and even between individual schools.
A statewide ban would establish a uniform policy across Washington’s public schools.
The announcement comes months before lawmakers convene in Olympia for the 2027 legislative session. Ferguson and Reykdal said they are beginning their public push early in an effort to build support for the proposal before lawmakers return to the Capitol.
Seattle School Uses Locked Pouches
The proposal was unveiled at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School, which began requiring students to store their phones in locked pouches during the school day in 2024.
School leaders have pointed to the policy as a way to reduce distractions and increase student engagement during class.
Under the governor’s proposal, students would be prohibited from accessing their phones throughout the school day, not just during instruction.
Growing National Trend
Washington would not be alone in adopting stricter cellphone restrictions.
Twenty-six states have enacted full-day “bell-to-bell” cellphone bans or other strict limits on student phone use during school hours, including New York, Texas, and Oregon.
Ferguson and Reykdal said Washington should join that growing list as concerns continue to mount over the impact of smartphones and social media on students’ learning, attention spans and mental health.
