The U.S. Office of the Surgeon General issued recommendations urging schools to limit students’ screen time and prioritize physical textbooks and paper-and-pencil assignments, with exceptions for special education plans that require digital tools. The guidance also endorses “bell-to-bell” bans on cellphone use during the school day. The recommendations, released May 20, come amid growing state and local activity to restrict devices and cyberbullying risks in response to concerns about mental and physical health. At least 37 states and Washington, D.C., already limit cellphone use, including 28 bell-to-bell bans. The office said evidence of risks is mounting and noted engagement features in digital tools can lead to “addiction-like behavior.” It also suggests keeping devices in computer labs, boosting extracurriculars, and adding cyberbullying prevention plans. For higher education leaders and education technology stakeholders, the policy move signals heightened scrutiny of digital learning tools and will influence the compliance landscape for ed-tech vendors, school districts, and campus partnerships preparing teachers.