A new state-by-state analysis graded K–12 cellphone policies and found wide variation: North Dakota and Rhode Island earned top marks for bell-to-bell bans with inaccessible storage, while many states have weaker or no restrictions. The Institute for Families and Technology led the review, scoring states on scope and enforceability. Separately, a University of Southern California study surveyed teens and reported cellphone bans produced no significant effects on teens’ social lives, happiness, attendance, or attention—though researchers noted it may be early to detect impacts and that bans have not shown clear downsides from students’ perspectives. For higher‑education leaders working with K–12 partners and feeder systems, the developments signal shifts in student behavior and district policy that could affect classroom preparation, digital literacy expectations, and collaborations on student well‑being initiatives.