School Cellphone Bans: Annenberg Expert Reframes the Issue

Whether students should or should not have cellphones in school has been a hot topic in the U.S. of late. Many educators and parents worry about how cellphone use affects students’ focus, mental health, and even the potential to incite violence in the halls, while also wanting students to have a phone available in case of emergency.

Annenberg Professor Desmond Upton Patton studies how youth navigate the internet, including how they use smartphones to interact with their peers, express themselves, and process grief, joy, and loss online through his research center, SAFELab.

We spoke to him about school cellphone bans, how communities can encourage the safe use of smartphones, and the importance of embracing the positive aspects of life online.

Why do you think school districts in Philadelphia and beyond have begun to crack down so much on cellphone use?

We are living in a moment where schools are struggling to figure out how to support young people in a digital world that moves faster than policy, research, and practice. Cellphones are a powerful tool—they connect, entertain, educate, and create—but they also distract, expose, and harm. Schools are responding to real concerns: students distracted in class, the spread of violence and harmful content online, and the impact of social media on mental health. But banning phones outright isn’t a solution—it’s a reaction. If we want to address the real issues, we need to focus on education, support, and responsible digital citizenship rather than just restriction.

What should parents and their community be doing to prevent the negative impacts of cellphone use?

Parents and communities need to be in active conversation with young people, not just about what they do on their phones but how it makes them feel. We can’t just police—we have to listen. When a young person is engaging with harmful content, we need to ask: What is drawing them to it? What need is it fulfilling? That’s where intervention happens. Parents should be co-learning—exploring digital spaces alongside their kids, modeling healthy engagement, and setting boundaries that aren’t just about control but about care. Schools, churches, community centers—these spaces need to be places where young people can talk openly about their digital lives without fear of punishment.

"When a young person is engaging with harmful content, we need to ask: What is drawing them to it? What need is it fulfilling? That’s where intervention happens. Parents should be co-learning—exploring digital spaces alongside their kids, modeling healthy engagement, and setting boundaries that aren’t just about control but about care."

How can cellphones be used positively?

Cellphones are an extension of young people’s identities, creativity, and connection to the world. Instead of seeing them as distractions, we should ask: How can we harness their power for good? Young people are using their phones to build community, express themselves, document their lives, and even organize for social change. They can be tools for mental health support, with access to wellness apps and peer support groups. They can be a gateway to learning—whether that’s through YouTube tutorials, educational apps, or digital storytelling. If we center intentionality, cellphones can be used to uplift, rather than harm.

What are some guidelines for creating healthier, safer social media platforms?

1. Built-in digital well-being tools – Platforms should have easy-to-use tools that help users track their engagement, set limits, and take breaks.
2. Better content moderation with cultural nuance – AI and human moderators must be trained to recognize the complexities of language, culture, and context, especially when it comes to Black and brown youth.
3. Fostering joy and community – Platforms should elevate content that promotes well-being, creativity, and connection—not just what drives clicks and controversy.
4. Real-time intervention for harm – When someone is engaging in harmful behavior online, there need to be real-time interventions, whether through community support or direct outreach from mental health professionals.
5. Youth-centered design – Young people need a seat at the table when these platforms are built. We should be designing with them, not just for them.

What work is SAFELab doing to promote joy and healing in digital spaces?

At SAFELab, we are reimagining digital spaces as sites of joy, healing, and community—not just harm surveillance. Our work centers the voices of Black and brown youth, understanding how they use social media to navigate life, express emotions, and seek support. Through our research, we are developing AI-driven tools that don’t just detect harm but also recognize moments of resilience and connection.

I teach a course at Penn called "Journey to Joy," where I train students to merge science with practice in the creation of joy plans for policy, research, and leadership. This work is deeply connected to our efforts at SAFELab, where I am leading the development and testing of JoyNet—a machine learning-powered platform designed to help youth find and cultivate joy on social media. Instead of focusing solely on risk, JoyNet will amplify positive content, connect young people to supportive networks, and provide insights into how digital spaces can foster well-being.

Through this work, we are shifting the conversation—from one of fear to one of possibility. We are pushing technology beyond surveillance toward empowerment. And most importantly, we are working toward a digital future where joy, healing, and community are central to the experience of being online.