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Voters Support Cell Phone, Social Media Bans in Schools; Social Media Education

by Ashley Donaldson Burle, Ph.D. on 03/18/2025

03/18/2025

SLU's Ashley Donaldson Burle, Ph.D., provides expert analysis of the February 2025 SLU/YouGov Poll results.

Teenagers receive a median of 273 cell phone notifications each day with nearly a quarter coming in during school hours. The International Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCED) suggested a full ban on cell phones was the best way to eliminate distractions in school. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics found 77% of public schools prohibit students from using cell phones during any class, with a higher percentage of elementary schools (86%) implementing such a policy compared to secondary/high schools (55%). Yet, school phone use is common as is the inconsistency in policies, even from classroom to classroom.

Proponents of cell phone bans argue they will help mitigate youth mental health concerns and distractions during academic instruction. Fifty-three percent of school leaders reported negative impacts of cell phone use on academic performance while more than 73% felt cell phones have had a negative impact on students’ attention span. Those opposing cell phone bans say phones are critical safety tools in the event of a school shooting or other emergency. Seventy-eight percent of parents indicated they want their children to have cell phone access in case of an emergency.

At least 19 states have laws or policies that ban or restrict cellphone use in schools or recommend local districts enact their own policies. At least sixteen additional states have introduced statewide legislation aimed at similar outcomes this year. Missouri is one state currently considering legislation on cell phone bans (e.g., HB 306, HB 854, and SB 68). Governor Mike Kehoe indicated his support for banning cell phones by endorsing SB 68 in February.

The February 2025 SLU/YouGov Poll found at least 70% of likely voters favor prohibiting students from accessing cell phones during regular instructional activities at all K-12 schools (i.e., elementary, middle, and high schools). Results from August 2024 indicated similar support, with 72% of likely voters indicating support for prohibiting high school students from accessing their cell phones during regular school hours. 

Likely Missouri voters' responses to the following survey question: Do you favor or oppose public schools prohibiting students from accessing their cell phones during regular instructional activities unless authorized by the school principal? Elementary schools—76% Favor, 20% Oppose, 5% Not sure; Middle schools—75% Favor, 20% Oppose, 5% Not sure; High schools—70% Favor, 22% Oppose, 7% Not sure.

Likely Missouri voters' responses to the following survey question: Do you favor or oppose public schools prohibiting students from accessing their cell phones during regular instructional activities unless authorized by the school principal? Elementary schools—76% Favor, 20% Oppose, 5% Not sure; Middle schools—75% Favor, 20% Oppose, 5% Not sure; High schools—70% Favor, 22% Oppose, 7% Not sure.

Noticeable differences for cell phone bans were found based on likely voters’ age. Voters aged 18-29 supported cell phone bans at elementary and middle schools with 57% in favor. Voters aged 30 and older supported cell phone bans in elementary and middle schools at higher levels. At least 73% favored elementary school cell phone bans, while at least 72% favored middle school cell phone bans. A plurality (49%) of likely voters aged 18-29 favored cell phone bans in high schools; 40% opposed. In comparison, at least 64% of voters aged 30+ favored cell phone bans while opposition was 25% or less. Overall, these results indicate young voters are more divided about cell phone bans for older students.

The February 2025 SLU/YouGov Poll results on cell phone bans align with national results. A YouGov survey found 58% of U.S. adults supported a smartphone policy for high school students that would prohibit students from using them in school. Similarly, 53% of U.S. adults supported a ban on middle and high school students using cellphones during the entire day, according to results from the Pew Research Center. The National Education Association (NEA) found 83% of members supported prohibiting cellphone or personal device usage during the entire school day.

Social Media in Schools

The U.S. Surgeon General recommended that social media come with a warning that “social media is associated with significant mental health harms in adolescents.” Frequent social media use was associated with poor mental health outcomes among adolescents, including persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and suicide risk. Social media use was also positively related to body image concerns and disordered eating and cyberbullying or other online conflicts.

Nearly all teenagers use social media. Approximately 95% of youth aged13-17 use a social media platform with more than one-third reporting almost constant social media use. Nearly 40% of children ages 8-12 use social media, despite the commonly required minimum age being 13. 

The February 2025 SLU/YouGov Poll found at least 81% of likely Missouri voters favored public schools prohibiting students from accessing social media using the school’s internet access, except when instructed by the teacher for educational purposes in all K-12 schools (i.e., elementary, middle, and high schools). This result was supported across all likely voters including young voters, those aged 18-29, of which 76% favored social media bans.

Likely Missouri voters' responses to the following survey question: Do you favor or oppose public schools prohibiting students from accessing social media using the school's internet access, except when instructed by the teacher for educational purposes? Elementary schools—84% Favor, 13% Oppose, 3% Not sure; Middle schools—83% Favor, 13% Oppose, 4% Not sure; High schools—81% Favor, 14% Oppose, 5% Not sure.

Likely Missouri voters' responses to the following survey question: Do you favor or oppose public schools prohibiting students from accessing social media using the school's internet access, except when instructed by the teacher for educational purposes? Elementary schools—84% Favor, 13% Oppose, 3% Not sure; Middle schools—83% Favor, 13% Oppose, 4% Not sure; High schools—81% Favor, 14% Oppose, 5% Not sure.

While Missourians favor social media bans, they indicated support for educating students about social media. The February 2025 SLU/YouGov Poll also found that 76% of likely voters favor requiring Missouri public schools to teach students about the purpose and acceptable use of social media platforms while 86% of likely voters favor requiring Missouri public schools to teach students about social media’s negative effects on mental health. Both results were highly favored by likely voters of all characteristics, backgrounds, and political party affiliation.

Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose requiring Missouri public schools to teach students...The purpose and acceptable use of social media platforms?': 76% Favor, 14% Oppose, and 10% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 87% Favor, 7% Oppose, and 6% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 67% Favor, 20% Oppose, and 12% Not sure.

Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose requiring Missouri public schools to teach students...The purpose and acceptable use of social media platforms?': 76% Favor, 14% Oppose, and 10% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 87% Favor, 7% Oppose, and 6% Not sure. Republican voters' responses:  67% Favor, 20% Oppose, and 12% Not sure.

Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose requiring Missouri public schools to teach students...About social media's negative effects on mental health?': 86% Favor, 6% Oppose, and 8% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 93% Favor, 2% Oppose, and 5% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 83% Favor, 7% Oppose, and 10% Not sure.

Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose requiring Missouri public schools to teach students...About social media's negative effects on mental health?': 86% Favor, 6% Oppose, and 8% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 93% Favor, 2% Oppose, and 5% Not sure. Republican voters' responses:  83% Favor, 7% Oppose, and 10% Not sure.

Moreover, likely voters support requiring Missouri public schools to teach students how to identify online misinformation. The February 2025 SLU/YouGov Poll found 86% of likely voters favor requiring Missouri public schools to teach students how to identify online misinformation. Again, this result was overwhelmingly favored by all likely voter subgroups. This result is perhaps particularly important as teenagers are more susceptible online misinformation.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The February 2025 SLU/YouGov results indicate that Missourians favor banning both cell phones and social media use in schools while also advocating for student education on social media. As Missouri considers legislation, it should look to other states for guidance on effective policy implementation.

For example, Florida’s phone ban prohibits cell phones during class and blocks access to social media for all devices on district Wi-Fi. Florida’s policy also requires digital literacy education beginning in sixth grade to equip students with responsible online habits. Arkansas took a phased approach, first launching “Phone-Free School, Mental Health Pilot Program” before enacting statewide policies to limit student cell phone use in schools.

By examining these and other state models, Missouri can develop a comprehensive approach that balances restrictions with educational support. Any proposed legislation should include clear implementation strategies, consistent enforcement mechanisms, and resources to ensure schools can effectively integrate and sustain these policies.

This analysis is based on data from the February 2025 SLU/YouGov Poll and reflects the opinion of the author.