In Case You Missed It: Smartphones In Schools

The health and well‑being of students across Vermont really are at the heart of how our communities thrive. And anyone who spends time with kids or teens knows just how hard it can be to set healthy boundaries around phones and other devices. Families are trying to figure it out at home and schools have been wrestling with the same challenge for years.

A state law passed last year will require schools to ban phones during the school day starting in the 2026–2027 school year. It’s a big shift, but it reflects what many educators have been saying for a long time: limiting phone use isn’t about punishment or control—it’s about giving students the space to focus, build real‑life social connections, and fully engage in learning without constant digital distraction.

Before the law was passed, Alison Novak at Seven Days took a thoughtful look at how Vermont schools are approaching this challenge in her article, “Vermont Schools Are Banning Smartphones to Limit Distractions.” It’s a helpful window into how educators are navigating a rapidly changing digital landscape.