Parents give ringing endorsement to school cellphone ban in new poll

A new poll finds that the majority of Massachusetts parents support a statewide ban on cellphones and smartwatches during the school day, as legislators weigh whether to pass a bill to keep the devices out of classrooms.

The poll, released Thursday and conducted by Boston-based nonprofit The MassINC Polling Group, found that 66 percent of parents would back a ban. Of that figure, 44 percent said they’d “strongly” support it.

For the poll, nearly 900 parents of students in grades six through 12 were surveyed between Oct. 21 and Nov. 12, according to a Boston Globe report. The poll was sponsored by the Education Trust, a group of education advocacy organizations.

The poll comes as state leaders grapple with whether to pass a ban, with the state Senate voting in support of one in July. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and the state’s two largest teachers unions have also expressed support for a ban.

House leadership has been reluctant to get on board with a bill, though House Speaker Ron Mariano said last month that it could be the next measure on the education agenda.

Supporters of a ban point to concerns over distractions due to digital devices during the school day, as well as the toll they take on students’ mental health.

“Cellphone use in our schools is undeniably fueling distraction and undermining meaningful learning,” Jennie Williamson, state director of EdTrust in Massachusetts, said in a statement. “We appreciate legislative leaders for taking this issue seriously, and this poll makes clear that parents overwhelmingly share these concerns. Their strong support for a statewide ban should give lawmakers the momentum needed to carry this bill across the finish line.”

The poll also found that among the parents surveyed, about 88 percent reported that their children had smartphones. The majority — 63 percent — said they want to be able to contact their children during school hours. 

Nearly half of parents want more information on the policy and any exceptions, and 37 percent would like details on how the ban would improve learning and safety.

According to the poll, support varied by demographic group, with Asian American and Pacific Islander parents showing the highest support at 75 percent, followed by white parents at 67 percent, Latino parents at 66 percent, and Black parents at 61 percent. 

Support also increases with education level, with 74 percent of parents with a bachelor’s degree and 73 percent with an advanced degree in favor, compared with 61 percent of parents with some college and 54 percent of those with a high school diploma or less. 

Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.