Washington Lags Behind on Statewide School Phone Limits

State superintendent says Washington needs to act on restricting student smartphone use in schools.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:02pm

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A softly focused, dreamlike scene of students walking through a high school hallway, with blurred shapes of smartphones and backpacks in the foreground, bathed in a warm, golden glow that creates a sense of nostalgia for in-person social interaction.As schools nationwide restrict student smartphone use, Washington lags behind in adopting statewide policies to curb classroom distraction.Olympia Today

Washington state's school superintendent Chris Reykdal says the state is falling behind a national push to restrict smartphone use in schools, arguing Washington should move to a statewide standard rather than continue studying the issue. While about 75% of districts have updated their policies, Reykdal warns that inconsistent local approaches limit effectiveness, and points to changes in student behavior where restrictions are in place, such as more in-person interaction during breaks.

Why it matters

As more states enact stricter, more uniform rules aimed at reducing classroom distraction and improving student focus, Washington's lack of a statewide policy puts it behind the national trend. Reykdal argues the research is clear that these policies work, and Washington needs to show the 'courage' to implement them.

The details

Several states have recently advanced efforts to limit student phone use in schools. Indiana has implemented a stricter bell-to-bell ban, New Jersey adopted a statewide requirement that will make districts phone-free by fall, Michigan enacted a law requiring school policies with emergency-use provisions, and Hawai'i is moving toward broad classroom restrictions. In contrast, Washington did not adopt a statewide policy this year, instead directing the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to study the issue.

  • In recent months, states have accelerated efforts to limit student phone use.
  • This year, Washington did not adopt a statewide policy, instead directing the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to study the issue.

The players

Chris Reykdal

The State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Washington, who says the state is falling behind on implementing statewide restrictions on student smartphone use in schools.

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What they’re saying

“We are behind. We are behind.”

— Chris Reykdal, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

“The common thread is that this really does work.”

— Chris Reykdal, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

“It's louder in the lunchrooms and in the hallways because kids are talking to each other.”

— Chris Reykdal, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

“We don't need studies to see how clear the research is. We need courage.”

— Chris Reykdal, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

What’s next

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in Washington will continue studying the issue of restricting student smartphone use in schools, with the potential for the state to eventually adopt a statewide policy.

The takeaway

As more states take action to limit student phone use in schools, Washington's lack of a statewide policy puts it behind the national trend. The state's top education official argues the research shows these policies work, and Washington needs to have the 'courage' to implement them to reduce classroom distraction and improve student focus.