Jonathan Haidt

Stories

The school cellphone crackdown

As of May 2026: Leading intellectual force whose advocacy achieved widespread state adoption through 2025-2026, though implementation challenges are emerging

January 2026 accelerated the school cellphone crackdown. New Jersey signed a statewide ban for 2026-27, Michigan passed legislation for fall 2026, and Kansas introduced bipartisan Senate Bill 302 backed by 30 senators. What began with France's 2018 experiment now spans 37 states plus D.C., up from 35+ just weeks earlier.

Updated May 19

Notable Quotes

When schools go phone-free, what they all say is that they hear laughter in the hallways again.

from The school cellphone crackdown · Updated May 19

Virginia's policy is really well done because it covers the entire school day rather than just instructional time.

from The school cellphone crackdown · Updated May 19

We now have very strong evidence that smartphones are harming kids' ability to learn, focus, sleep, and connect.

from The school cellphone crackdown · Updated May 19