An enduring debate surrounds cellphones in schools, but are states right to ban them? Experts tell Newsweek the pros and cons.

Mobile phones have been banned at 44 schools in England over concerns for pupil’s health and learning. A national academy chain is thought to be the first of its kind to impose a blanket mobile phone ban for a total of 35,000 pupils.

When a school district in southwest Washington began a cellphone ban this year, superintendent Asha Riley said teachers and administrators saw positive results right away. Students were talking more to each other in class,

I have a 12-year-old who just started Junior High in the US (which covers grades 7 and 8), and her school has a phone-free campus policy. My other child is about to turn 9 and will be there soon. Both have expressed wanting a phone,

With the new school year comes renewed debate over the use of cell phones in the classroom.Among New York parents of school-age children, 77-percent support barring cell phone use in schools during the day,

Mike Morath made the recommendation as concerns rise that phones are harmful to students’ mental health and distract them from learning.