Why Wait? Highline Students Deserve Smartphone-Free Schools Now

Guest Editorial by Lauren Schmidt, Highline Parent

[Editors Note: Guest perspectives reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Highline Journal.]

It is time for an honest conversation about the role of smartphones in our schools. For too long, we have treated the presence of these devices in our children's hands as an inevitability rather than a choice. But across the country, families and educators are realizing that we don’t have to accept the status quo.

If you think this is only a middle or high school issue, you are mistaken. As the parent of a Highline first-grader, I was surprised to already see reminders sent home that phones and other personal devices should not be at school. The "race to the bottom" continues to shift this issue to even younger kids. We need collective action now to prevent our elementary schools from becoming the next frontier of digital distraction.

A Growing Movement

The good news is that 27 states have already passed laws banning phones from schools. Recent data from Brookings reveals that over 90% of adults and 76% of teens support some form of restriction. The reasons are clear: when phones go away, academics and attention spans go up.

Furthermore, there is a growing body of evidence that allowing children open, unlimited access to the internet and social media is causing widespread harm. These ideas have rapidly moved from fringe to mainstream, due in large part to the work of Jonathan Haidt’s 2024 book, The Anxious Generation. Locally, we have a grassroots effort that is leading the advocacy work to remove phones and social media from our schools. And the leaders of this movement have written several pieces, including It’s time for WA to ban cellphones in schools and Washington is being left behind.

No Consistent Policy in Washington or Highline

Despite the momentum, Washington has not yet made substantial progress. In August 2024, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal challenged districts to implement restrictions by the 2025–26 school year.

While some districts followed this guidance and implemented district-wide bans, many—including Highline Public Schools—did not even have a comprehensive district-wide policy in place by the start of the current school year. When a school lacks a clear, top-down policy, this leaves enforcement up to individual teachers, which quickly becomes a losing battle.

Washington Legislation: SB 5346

There is hope for a statewide solution this year. SB 5346 has passed the Senate and is currently moving through the House. However, in its current form, the legislation is functionally weak. It primarily instructs OSPI to study district policies and create reports, but lacks an explicit mandate for schools to actually restrict device use.

Without a clear requirement for districts to act, this bill risks maintaining our current patchwork of policies. If we want real change, the legislature must move beyond data collection and set a firm, specific standard for all Washington schools.

The "Bell-to-Bell" Gold Standard

The most effective policy, already proving successful in states like New York and Oregon, is a statewide “bell-to-bell” ban. This requires phones to be put away from the moment a student arrives until the final bell rings.

Why is this more effective than restricting only during "instructional time?"

• Social Restoration: Zachary Stowell, Principal of Robert Eagle Staff Middle School in Seattle, testified that going phone-free was "transformative." He noted that when the fear of being recorded or "cooked" on social media was removed, students began talking, singing, and authentically connecting again.
• The Distraction Gap: University of Washington research shows students spend an average of 25% of the school day on phones, primarily on social media. Furthermore, it takes 20 minutes to regain deep focus after a single notification. This makes phones during lunch and passing periods a direct threat to classroom learning; a student checking their phone between periods may not be fully "present" until halfway through their next class.
• Equity of Learning: While advocate voices are often those with the most resources, a statewide "bell-to-bell" law is a fundamental matter of equity. Students in under-resourced schools are often most impacted when districts fail to set clear standards. A universal policy ensures that every Washington student—regardless of zip code or background—has an equal opportunity to learn in a focused, safe environment.

What You Can Do

We are not powerless. There are schools, districts, and states that have shown us the path forward. It is possible to return the school day to our children and their teachers. With the overwhelming support of students, parents, and teachers, the question for our district leaders and Washington lawmakers is simple: why wait?

Here is what you can do to help:

1. Sign the Letter of Support: Help us add 500 more supporters for Phone & Social Media Free Schools in Washington.
2. Join the Email List: At the bottom of the letter, you can opt-in to be notified of current events and calls to action.
3. Contact Your Representatives: Urge the House Education Committee and your local lawmakers to support SB 5346 and advocate for a strict "bell-to-bell" requirement.
4. For Educators, ask the Washington Education Association to support a statewide bell-to-bell ban: The National Education Association already has and the vast majority of teachers (83%) support an all-day phone-free policy.
5. Contact the Highline School Board: Reach out to our district leaders and ask why they haven't followed OSPI’s guidance to have a cell phone policy in place by the start of this year.
6. Take the Highline Survey: If you are in the Highline District, fill out the Student Cell Phone Use Survey.
7. Organize Locally: Start a local group at school or within your community. For more guidance on this, check out SmartPhone Free Childhood and Wait Until 8th.