Kansas bans phones, earbuds and smartwatches for students throughout school day

Kansas has introduced a ban on smartphones, earbuds, and smartwatches for students covering the entire school day, from morning bell to afternoon dismissal. The move is part of a broader trend across multiple U.S. states responding to concerns over classroom distractions and student health. Parents have largely backed such measures, pointing to research on screen time and age-appropriate development. Schools are also revisiting their technology policies to limit device use during non-instructional periods. Concerns over students accessing inappropriate content on school devices have further fueled the push for stricter regulations.