Rep. Stephanie McClintock said on Apr. 29 that Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal is now supporting a statewide ban on cell phone use in public schools, after not backing similar legislation in the past three legislative sessions.
The issue of student cell phone use during class time has been a focus for lawmakers and educators, with concerns about its impact on academic performance and student well-being. McClintock said she introduced bipartisan legislation in 2024 to require all school districts to restrict cell phone use during class, but it did not pass. She continued to advocate for the measure through subsequent years.
“We don’t need to take phones away, but I strongly support putting phones away,” McClintock said. She added that mobile device use has become a chronic problem affecting both academic achievement and mental health among students.
McClintock noted that while many districts have their own policies restricting phones, there is no statewide standard ensuring all students are protected from classroom distractions. Her most recent bill (House Bill 1122) was not heard by the House Education Committee in either 2025 or 2026; instead, lawmakers approved another study on best practices for restricting cellphone use.
Superintendent Reykdal recently appeared on TVW’s Inside Olympia and said: “About 75% of districts updated their policies after state guidance, but warned that inconsistent local approaches limit effectiveness.” He also stated: “The common thread is that this really does work,” referencing feedback from other states and observing changes such as increased student interaction when restrictions are enforced. “It’s louder in the lunchrooms and in the hallways because kids are talking to each other,” Reykdal said. “We don’t need studies to see how clear the research is. We need courage.”
McClintock questioned why Reykdal had not supported her proposals earlier, especially after Washington received an “F” grade from the national Phone-Free Schools State Report Card for failing to pass a statewide policy during the latest session.
She concluded by calling for decisive action: “Washington needs a strong, effective statewide cell phone use policy in all public schools… Our kids deserve nothing less.”
