Gov. Bob Ferguson discussed his push to ban student cellphone use in Washington public schools during a press conference at Pasco High School on Wednesday.
Gov. Bob Ferguson discussed his push to ban student cellphone use in Washington public schools during a press conference at Pasco High School on Wednesday.
Ferguson was joined by students, teachers, principals, and education leaders to discuss his legislative proposal.
Ferguson and State Schools Superintendent Chris Reykdal first announced in June 2026 that they planned to ask lawmakers next year to ban student cellphone use during the school day at K-12 public schools statewide. That announcement was made at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School in north Seattle, which began requiring students to keep their cellphones in locked pouches during the school day in 2024.
“Students are focusing more on memes than on math,” Ferguson said during the June press conference, arguing that the constant presence of cellphones is detrimental to Washington students’ academic and social development.
Under the proposal, students would be banned from using their phones and other smart devices throughout the entire school day, including lunch periods and between classes. The plan includes exemptions for students who need their phones for documented health reasons and as part of their education plans. Ferguson has said the goal is to reduce distractions and improve students’ learning and well-being.
The proposal cites national data on teen phone use, saying 95% of teenagers in the United States have smartphones and 97% of those teenagers use them during school. Studies cited in the announcement say teenagers spend, on average, roughly a quarter of their school day on their cellphones — more than 41 instructional days over the course of a school year.
It also points to research and survey findings about classroom impacts. One-third of public K-12 teachers nationwide say students being distracted by cellphones is a major problem in their classroom, according to Pew Research Center. Research cited in the announcement says school-day phone use negatively impacts students’ learning, ability to focus, attendance, and mental and emotional health, while students are more engaged socially and academically without phones.
Ferguson and Reykdal have called the ban a top priority and said they want restrictions in place by next September, for the start of the 2027-28 school year.
About 75% of Washington school districts already have policies limiting cellphone use in classrooms, though the extent of those policies varies. Ferguson’s proposal would set a uniform statewide standard.
