'Focusing more on memes than on math': Gov. Ferguson proposes statewide K-12 cellphone ban
SEATTLE — Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and State Schools Superintendent Chris Reykdal said they plan to ask lawmakers next year to ban student cellphone use during the school day at K-12 public schools across the state.
The proposal was announced at a news conference on Tuesday 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 press conference, citing the constant presence of cellphones as detrimental to the academic and social development of Washington's schoolchildren.
Under the legislature, students would be banned from using their phones and other smart devices throughout the entire school day, including lunch periods and between classes. Exemptions would be provided for students who need their phones for documented health reasons and as part of their education plans.
Ferguson said the goal is to reduce distractions and improve students’ learning and well-being.
The announcement cited national data showing how common phone use is among teens. In the United States, 95% of teenagers have smartphones, and 97% of those teenagers use them during school. Studies show 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.
The proposal 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 shows 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.
Both Ferguson and Reykdal said the ban is a top priority and that they want restrictions in place by next September, for the start of the 2027-28 school year.
In Washington, about 75% of school districts already have policies limiting cellphone use in classrooms, but the extent of the policy varies from district to district - the governor's proposal would bring all school districts under the same standard of operation.
The announcement also noted a national report card gives Washington an “F” for state policy.
Ferguson said his office will spend the next three months traveling across the state to meet with students, teachers, and other stakeholders to work through details. Those discussions are expected to include enforcement options, what support districts would need, what narrow exceptions would be allowed — such as for IEPs, 504 plans, and medical needs — and emergency communications plans.
Ferguson expects to announce a detailed proposal by Sept. 15. He expects to prefile the Governor Request Bill on Dec. 7, the day prefiling opens. Under the timeline outlined, school districts would implement the policy in September 2027.
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