New Florida law prohibits primary and middle school students from using mobile phones at schools.
Pew Research polls show that more adults support their position.
74% of US adults support middle and high school students using mobile phones during class, starting from 68% last fall. 19 opposed the ban, with 7% still undecided.
The Florida ban does not apply to high school students.
By age group
Ages 18-29 (57%) support the ban on mobile phones for middle and high school students. That number ranges from 45% in 2024 to 30-49 years old, with 71% supporting the ban, and 83% of people over 50 support the ban.
Political parties.
This topic appears to have bipartisan support. 78% of Republicans supported the ban, while 71% of Democrats agreed.
The impact of mobile phones on students
Pew Research asked respondents how they view the effectiveness of mobile phone use between middle and high school students each day.
Approximately 66% believe that the ban on mobile phones all day would improve students’ social skills, grades, and classroom behavior. Advocates said children will develop better social skills as they will be less distracted. Only 23% said the ban would have a negative effect. Pew said his opponents don’t like the ban just in case parents need to contact their children if necessary.
The role of government in regulating school cell phone use.
Pollers asked the question, saying that when regulating cell phone use in schools, Americans found that “we are more concerned about government being too loose than government being too strict.”
36% are more concerned that state and local governments aren’t getting far enough forward to regulate, with 29% saying they might be going too far. 35% was undecided.
Depending on your age.
Pew found that 46% of young Americans seem worried that the government is too far away from regulating cell phone use in schools, and that most seniors believe the government will not go well enough to limit.
By political parties.
Compared to 24% of Republicans, 36% of Democrats worry that state and local governments have gone too far to regulate. 41% of GOP voters felt the government was too loose compared to 32% of Democrats.
