By Ari’ Browley
Phone addiction is a struggle all too familiar to the average consumer. Since the smartphone’s debut in 2007, consumers have built an unhealthy attachment, depending on this portable technology to function in their daily lives. This dependence is not only a personal struggle, but it’s become a societal issue that has followed a whole generation of learners into the classroom.
“Honestly, it (phones) has a pretty big impact,” Leah Young, one of East Kentwood High School’s counselors explained. “Students miss instructions, take longer to get started, or struggle to stay engaged in lessons all of the time, due to technology.”
Considering these concerns, local leaders and government officials have begun to focus on establishing a permanent solution to the issue of phone usage in the classroom. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently took action to put a stop to this persistent issue.
On Feb. 10, Whitmer signed a bipartisan law, officially banning smartphones and other communication devices in K-12 classrooms. The ban, coming into effect in the fall of 2026, is expected to “help keep kids focused in the classroom and break their growing dependency on screens and social media,” Whitmer stated after signing the ban into law.
“Of course we will have common sense exemptions, (like) medical needs, emergencies, or official school-related use,” Whitmer reassured students in a video later posted on her official Instagram. “Schools can make their own rules about phone use in the hall, cafeteria, or free periods,” Whitmer clarified.
“The goal of this bill is simple: less scrolling, more learning,” Whitmer said.
Michigan is not the first state to recognize the negative impact of phones in academic spaces. Banning phones in classrooms is a trend that 20 other states have implemented into their education systems, with more states expected to follow suit. Even across the globe, students are experiencing similar challenges with their phone dependence. Australia, with phone restrictions set in schools since 2020, has taken its resolution a step further.
In December of 2025, Australia officially banned social media, including TikTok, for all users under 16. It’s expected to diminish the negative impacts and dangers of social media while preventing phone dependence from developing at a young age. Australia is the first country to establish this kind of law, and may not be the last.
West Michigan has already seen the benefits of implementing stricter phone policies into the classroom. Just last school year, Kentwood Public Schools joined multiple other districts in enacting a school-wide phone policy. Similarly to the state-wide ban, it requires students to have their phones stored away during instructional time.
“I’m noticing way more engagement when we have them up in the box and put away,” said Jessica Darwin, an English and African American literature teacher at East Kentwood High School. “It really eliminates a lot of distractions.”
Darwin emphasized that the policy not only improves students’ productivity but also supports balanced student and teacher relationships. “When there wasn’t a policy, it was really hard for students to understand why we would take away phones. I think that having that backing from the principal and admin creates less tension between teachers and students,” Darwin said.
Teachers actively in the classroom aren’t the only educators seeing improvements. Young, the East Kentwood High counselor explained how this policy promotes productivity and students’ overall wellbeing.
“When phone use is limited, we tend to see more students more engaged, participating more, and actually connecting with each other in person,” Young explained. “That makes a noticeable difference not only academically, but socially and emotionally too.”
“From a counseling perspective, it’s not just about academics either. Phones can pull students into social media, group chats, or outside stressors during the school day, which makes it harder for them to be present in the classroom. When that attention is split, their learning really does suffer,” Young said.
While most educators likely support this phone ban, many students are either unaware or on the fence on the matter. GRCC students are no exception.
Derec Tran, a 20-year-old accounting major from Grand Rapids, was oblivious about the ban, however, he immediately felt that it was needless for high school-aged students. “I understand if it was only for elementary, but it is unnecessary for high school students,” Tran said. “They should be able to manage their phones themselves.” Other students shared similar opinions, arguing that phone usage has been a long-time issue that was managed by teachers.
Owden Vanhouten, a 19-year-old GRCC student from Grand Rapids, said, “It should be left up to teachers.” Vanhouten also recognized how this ban could have a good result for some students and bad results for others.
With violence growing more prevalent in schools, students have raised concerns about how quickly students will be able to access their phones. Ana Ortiz, an 18-year-old political science major, highlighted that, “It could be a big worry for parents. Students should be able to have quick access to their phones in case of emergencies.”
Phone usage is expected to be an ongoing struggle in the academic world. Michigan school administrators and others around the nation hope that school phone restrictions are the push students need to improve academically and break away from their screens.
“We know it’s not a magic fix,” Young said. “It’s going to take consistency, clear expectations, and support from both staff and families to really make it successful. We expect to see a lot of push back initially, but we are hoping that will ease once students become more comfortable without constant use of their phones.”
