Do American teenagers support cell phone bans at school?

Starters
Written By Jonathan Milner

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

  1. Based on the visual above, what percent of students age 13-17 support a ban that prevents middle and high school students from using cell phones during class?

  2. Based on the visual above, what percent of students age 13-17 oppose a ban that prevents middle and high school students from using cell phones the entire school day?

  3. What most surprised you about the data in the poll above?

  4. Why do you think that opinions on cell phone bans are so different between adults and teens as shown in the visual below?*

  5. Do you support or oppose a ban that prevents middle and high school students from using cell phones during class?

  6. Describe the policy on cell phones at your school.

  7. Explain whether the data shown in the visual above seems like a statistically valid public opinion survey.

  8. Think about the concept of federalism in relation to cell phone policy in schools. Let’s say that the U.S. government decided to ban cell phones from all schools and a state tried to make a constitutional argument against the federal government being involved in regulating schools . What Amendment of the U.S. Constitution might a lawyer representing a state cite as a defense for why federal intervention in school policy would be unconstitutional.

  9. What would an Anti-Federalist say about the federal government intervening in educational matters?

  10. Imagine you were the CEO of Verizon (you aren’t) and you were really unhappy about a cell phone ban at schools because of how it would impact your customers. What steps could a business or interest group take to try to influence public policy?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

After speaking to your government teacher, contact your principal or school board and let them know what you think about their cell phone policy.

Get Creative

Make a TikTok about your feelings about your school’s cell phone policy and share it on TikTok with other TikTokers.

Learning Extension

High Five AP Government & Politics Exam Review Updated for 2026
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Glossary

Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
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