Massachusetts Parents Overwhelmingly Support Ban on School Cellphones and Smartwatches
A new poll has found that a significant majority of Massachusetts parents are in favor of banning cellphones and smartwatches from schools during the day, with nearly two-thirds of respondents expressing support for the measure. The poll, conducted by Boston-based nonprofit The MassINC Polling Group, surveyed over 900 parents of students in grades six through 12 and found that 66% would back a ban.
The majority of those who support the ban, including 44%, say they would strongly support it, with many citing concerns over distractions caused by digital devices during class time and their impact on students' mental health. The Education Trust, which sponsored the poll, praised the strong support for the bill, stating that "parents overwhelmingly share these concerns" and urging lawmakers to pass the measure.
Support for the ban varies across demographic groups, with Asian American and Pacific Islander parents showing the highest level of support at 75%, followed by white parents at 67%. Parents with higher levels of education also tend to be more supportive, with 74% of those with a bachelor's degree and 73% of those with an advanced degree in favor.
The poll comes as state leaders continue to weigh whether to pass the bill, which was voted on by the state Senate in July. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and the state's two largest teachers unions have all expressed support for a ban, while House leadership has been more cautious. Despite this, House Speaker Ron Mariano recently stated that the bill could be next on the education agenda.
As one advocate noted, "Cellphone use in our schools is undeniably fueling distraction and undermining meaningful learning." With nearly 88% of parents surveyed reporting that their children have smartphones, it's clear that this issue resonates deeply with parents across Massachusetts.
A new poll has found that a significant majority of Massachusetts parents are in favor of banning cellphones and smartwatches from schools during the day, with nearly two-thirds of respondents expressing support for the measure. The poll, conducted by Boston-based nonprofit The MassINC Polling Group, surveyed over 900 parents of students in grades six through 12 and found that 66% would back a ban.
The majority of those who support the ban, including 44%, say they would strongly support it, with many citing concerns over distractions caused by digital devices during class time and their impact on students' mental health. The Education Trust, which sponsored the poll, praised the strong support for the bill, stating that "parents overwhelmingly share these concerns" and urging lawmakers to pass the measure.
Support for the ban varies across demographic groups, with Asian American and Pacific Islander parents showing the highest level of support at 75%, followed by white parents at 67%. Parents with higher levels of education also tend to be more supportive, with 74% of those with a bachelor's degree and 73% of those with an advanced degree in favor.
The poll comes as state leaders continue to weigh whether to pass the bill, which was voted on by the state Senate in July. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and the state's two largest teachers unions have all expressed support for a ban, while House leadership has been more cautious. Despite this, House Speaker Ron Mariano recently stated that the bill could be next on the education agenda.
As one advocate noted, "Cellphone use in our schools is undeniably fueling distraction and undermining meaningful learning." With nearly 88% of parents surveyed reporting that their children have smartphones, it's clear that this issue resonates deeply with parents across Massachusetts.
I mean, can you blame them? Schools should be about learning, not scrolling through Instagram 
. It's crazy how much of a distraction these devices are in the classroom. I think it's awesome that most parents agree on this one... like, finally! 
And yeah, I get it, parents with higher education do support it more... but still, it's about doing what's best for our kids' future 
I think most parents would agree that schools should be a phone-free zone during the day... like, can you imagine trying to focus in class when everyone around you is scrolling through Instagram 
. I'm not surprised Asian American parents are on board too... they're already showing us the way with strict rules at home 
. And yaaas, let's give those teachers some peace and quiet during class times 
!
! I mean, who doesn't love to scroll through Instagram during class right? 
but seriously, it would really help with focus and productivity in the classroom. My little sister is in 6th grade and she's always on her phone or tablet, even when she's supposed to be doing her homework. It's so frustrating! I think if parents are concerned about their kids' mental health, a ban would definitely be beneficial for them. Plus, it would encourage them to engage with the world around them instead of just staring at screens all day 
Anyway, I'll be keeping an eye on how this plays out...
!! and honestly i think its so cool that the majority of parents in massachusetts r all about it too 66% is insane!!! i wish we could implement something similar here too 
. Remember when we didn't need our phones to survive? I mean, I was reading books on my lunch break during school and it was a great way to unwind, you know? Nowadays it's like every kid is glued to their screens all day long. And now the parents are like, "Hey, let's get rid of these things!" 
.
. I mean who needs distractions in class anyway? 
Its hard to know what's going on in their head sometimes. My friend's daughter says her smartwatch is a "stress ball" and she uses it to relax. Idk if thats healthy or not? Anywayz, I'm all for giving kids a break from the digital world when they're supposed to be learning 
.
its like totally disrupting learning & ur mental health lol idk how ppl can focus w/ all those notifications & social media temptations 
... wait, no, I mean it's absolutely necessary 
. The fact that Asian American parents support it more than white ones is kinda weird... or maybe not 
? I guess it just goes to show that there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to parenting and technology 
.
My little cousin's got a smartphone at 10 years old and it's like he's addicted or something... glued to that screen all day. And don't even get me started on smartwatches - what's next? 
Like we're gonna let them wear those things to school too?! 
I'm so glad to see most parents in Mass think cellphones & smartwatches are more distractions than benefits in schools 
. Plus, it's awesome that Asian American & Pacific Islander parents are leading the charge 
they're missing out on so much! 
i know some ppl might say "but what about emergencies?" or "what if you need to look up something online?" and yeah those are valid points but can't we find ways to make phones work for us instead of against us? 
. I mean think about it, how many times have you seen kids staring at their screens in class, completely zoning out? It's like they're not even there! And what's up with the constant notifications and social media drama? It's enough to drive a parent crazy just watching them on TV 
. By taking away the temptation, we're actually helping our kids learn and grow in a healthier way.
. Like, they could make us promise to call them three times a day or something 
. Maybe it'll even encourage some schools to get creative with other ways to keep kids engaged during class time 
. It's all about finding a balance between technology and actual learning, you know?
