Student technology access is again at the center of policy discussions on child and teen well-being, as educators and policymakers push for stronger limits on smartphone use in schools. A recent live discussion with New York University social psychologist Jonathan Haidt and Spokane, Wash. Superintendent Adam Swinyard highlighted concerns that constant device-mediated engagement is linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and self-harm. At least 38 states and the District of Columbia require districts to restrict or ban cellphone use, with varying rules for bell-to-bell or classroom-only restrictions. Swinyard’s district adopted bans for middle and elementary students starting in 2024-25, and also emphasized that removing devices is not enough—schools expanded extracurricular offerings to fill the attention gap. The debate underscores that student well-being initiatives increasingly require operational planning, not just restrictions, to manage what replaces screen time for young people.