To Ban or Not to Ban? Cellphones in the Classroom: Insights from a CoSN Webinar episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 21, 2025 · 5 MIN

To Ban or Not to Ban? Cellphones in the Classroom: Insights from a CoSN Webinar

from The CoSN Podcast · host COSN - The Podcast

Cellphones are everywhere in schools — in backpacks, pockets, and sometimes under desks. But should they be banned, restricted, or embraced as learning tools? In this episode, inspired by CoSN’s To Ban or Not to Ban? Tackling Cellphones in Classrooms webinar, Common Sense Media’s Merve Lapus reframes the debate.We explore why banning phones alone doesn’t teach digital discipline, how schools can combine policy with digital citizenship education, and the role of community alignment in making rules stick. Hear real-world examples like phone-free zones, lockable pouches, and student-led policy design — all aimed at building intentional, balanced tech use.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why rules alone don’t create lasting digital habitsStrategies for pairing cellphone policies with digital well-being lessonsHow to engage students, staff, and parents in shaping expectationsPractical activities to help students self-regulate device useWhether you’re a teacher, principal, or district leader, this episode offers actionable ways to move beyond bans and prepare students to thrive in a tech-driven world.Listen in for practical tips, real-world examples, and insights you can bring back to your school or district.Watch the full webinar here: ⁠CoSN YouTube⁠For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠Produced in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠. This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

Cellphones are everywhere in schools — in backpacks, pockets, and sometimes under desks. But should they be banned, restricted, or embraced as learning tools? In this episode, inspired by CoSN’s To Ban or Not to Ban? Tackling Cellphones in Classrooms webinar, Common Sense Media’s Merve Lapus reframes the debate.We explore why banning phones alone doesn’t teach digital discipline, how schools can combine policy with digital citizenship education, and the role of community alignment in making rules stick. Hear real-world examples like phone-free zones, lockable pouches, and student-led policy design — all aimed at building intentional, balanced tech use.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why rules alone don’t create lasting digital habitsStrategies for pairing cellphone policies with digital well-being lessonsHow to engage students, staff, and parents in shaping expectationsPractical activities to help students self-regulate device useWhether you’re a teacher, principal, or district leader, this episode offers actionable ways to move beyond bans and prepare students to thrive in a tech-driven world.Listen in for practical tips, real-world examples, and insights you can bring back to your school or district.Watch the full webinar here: ⁠CoSN YouTube⁠For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠Produced in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠. This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication.

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To Ban or Not to Ban? Cellphones in the Classroom: Insights from a CoSN Webinar

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This episode was published on August 21, 2025.

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Cellphones are everywhere in schools — in backpacks, pockets, and sometimes under desks. But should they be banned, restricted, or embraced as learning tools? In this episode, inspired by CoSN’s To Ban or Not to Ban? Tackling Cellphones in...

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