The Brief
- DC Public Schools will implement a district-wide cell phone ban for the 2025–2026 school year, requiring students to keep phones off and stored during the school day.
- The decision follows research linking smartphone use to mental health issues, bullying, and reduced focus in the classroom.
- Schools will have flexibility in how they enforce the policy to best serve their individual communities, with more details expected soon.
WASHINGTON – D.C. Public Schools announced Friday that students’ cell phones will be banned in schools for next year.
What we know:
DCPS announced it will enforce a cell phone ban – meaning phones must be turned off and stored away during the school day. …