AJE would like to share with families and educators: The U.S. Department of Education urged states, school districts, and schools to establish policies guiding the use of student personal devices, such as cell phones, in schools. To support this effort, the agency released Planning Together: A Playbook for Student Personal Device Policies. This resource provides education leaders with a step-by-step process to develop tailored policies alongside educators, students, parents, and caregivers.

The playbook outlines strategies to build a shared understanding of the benefits and concerns around personal device use in schools and offers recommendations for creating clear, consistent, and enforceable policies. “In this digital age, every elementary, middle, and high school should have a clear, consistent, and research-informed policy to guide the use of cell phones and [other] personal devices in school,” said Secretary Cardona.

This guidance responds to the May 23, 2023, White House announcement of actions to protect youth mental health, safety, and privacy online. It emphasizes the importance of involving local voices—parents, educators, and students—in crafting policies that address the unique needs of each school community.

By prioritizing collaboration and evidence-based practices, this resource aims to support schools in fostering environments that promote learning, safeguard student safety, and address mental health challenges.