The bell-to-bell cellphone ban doesn’t just enjoy wide support from the Denver Public Schools committee that recommended it, but also an overwhelming number of students are ready to ditch their devices during school.

A survey of parents, students and staff found:

• 83% of respondents supported a ban while in class.
• 64% favored a ban for the entire school day.

The results of the survey were to be presented at Thursday’s board meeting.

The Communication Devices Advisory Committee was formed earlier this year to comply with a new state law that requires school districts to adopt a cellphone policy by July 1.

The policy must describe any prohibitions and exceptions, if any, for student use during the school day.

The ban includes smartphones, watches, ear buds (that connect to a cellphone), and non-issued computers or tablets during school hours.

The committee also recommended that adequate and secure storage be provided.

It’s unclear what the costs of implementing the ban will be.

Scott Pribble, a district spokesperson, has said a budget hasn’t been set yet.

The findings come as mounting evidence shows cellphones can take a toll on students’ mental health and their ability to focus in the classroom. Bans are proliferating in districts across the country.

Roughly three in every four U.S. schools had a cellphone ban in 2020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Educators and the unions that represent them have advocated for stronger and more uniform approaches that allow for more time teaching and less time policing students’ cellphone use.