About three-quarters of U.S. adults (77%) support in-class cellphone bans for middle and high school students. This finding marks the second consecutive year of rising support for the policy, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted May 26-June 1, 2026. Just 18% say they oppose such a ban, while 6% are unsure.
| Support | Oppose | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | ||
| 2026 | 77 | 18 |
| 2025 | 74 | 19 |
| 2024 | 68 | 24 |
| The entire school day | ||
| 2026 | 48 | 43 |
| 2025 | 44 | 46 |
| 2024 | 36 | 53 |
And for the first time, more Americans now support than oppose a ban on students using cellphones during the entire school day.
About half of U.S. adults (48%) back “bell-to-bell” school cellphone bans for middle and high school students, up from 36% in 2024. Still, 43% oppose the idea, while 8% are not sure.
This growth in support for all-day cellphone bans comes as more states have enacted such policies. In a 2025 survey by the Center, majorities of U.S. adults said all-day bans would improve students’ grades, social skills and class behavior. Far fewer said the same about students’ physical safety.
Views by age
Support for in-class and all-day cellphone bans is lower among the youngest adults. Still, support for both policies has increased among all age groups since 2024, when we first asked.
| Demographic | Class | The entire school day | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. adults | U.S. adults | 77 | 48 |
| Ages 18-29 | Age | 57 | 28 |
| 30-49 | Age | 77 | 50 |
| 50-64 | Age | 83 | 55 |
| 65+ | Age | 85 | 57 |
| Rep/Lean Rep | Party | 81 | 55 |
| Dem/Lean Dem | Party | 74 | 44 |
Majorities of all age groups support an in-class ban. Roughly six-in-ten adults under 30 (57%) favor the idea – on par with last year but up from 45% in 2024. Support is far higher among older age groups.
When it comes to all-day bans, 28% of adults under 30 express support. By comparison, at least half of Americans 30 and older back all-day bans.
Views by party
There is broad support in both parties for in-class cellphone bans, though more so among Republicans. About eight-in-ten Republicans and Republican leaners (81%) favor the idea, as do 74% of Democrats and Democratic leaners.
A majority of Republicans (55%) back all-day cell phone bans for middle and high school students, compared with 44% of Democrats.
Note: Here are the questions we used for this analysis, the topline and the survey methodology.
