New Report Spotlights Kentucky Students’ Perspectives on Cell Phone Use in School

LEXINGTON, KY—With debates over cell phone bans heating up in districts across the country, a new report from the Kentucky Student Voice Team (KSVT) brings student perspectives to the forefront.

Drawing from the results of 11 student-to-student interviews and an original survey completed by 93 high school students statewide, the report “Tapped In or Tuned Out?” reveals that students are far from indifferent on the topic of school cell phone policies. In fact, many are calling for thoughtful, transparent and student-informed approaches.

Key Findings Include:

• Consistency matters. Students reported frustration with vague or unevenly enforced rules that vary across classrooms or staff members.
• Context is key. Many students agree phones can be distracting—but also see them as essential tools for learning, emotional regulation, and staying connected with family.
• Punishment isn’t the answer. Strict bans and harsh consequences were often viewed as counterproductive, especially when they ignore student input.

The report also offers a set of student-sourced recommendations, including involving students in policy design, implementing technology breaks, and offering guidance on healthy tech habits.

“Too often, and especially in unprecedented territory of new technologies, adults make decisions about us without us,” said Chase Colvin, a high school student from dupont Manual High School and a member of KSVT’s research team. “This report is our way of saying: we see that our schools need help with cell phones and we are ready to help build solutions that work better for students, teachers and administrators.”

Read the full report, which includes infographics, interview excerpts, and a share-back toolkit for school communities, here.

About the Kentucky Student Voice Team

The Kentucky Student Voice Team is an independent, youth-led, intergenerationally sustained organization that works to co-create more just, democratic Kentucky schools through education research, policy, and storytelling.