Written by Grace Sargent

Our classrooms have been invaded—not by enemies we can see, but by glowing screens quietly shaping the minds and hearts of the next generation. As Christians living in a digital age, we can no longer ignore the spiritual and educational cost of unchecked cell phone use in our schools. If we truly care about the formation of our children, we must ask: what’s discipling them, the Word of God or the world at their fingertips?

By now, you know the statistics. Children are getting phones at a younger and younger age, it has negative impacts on their sleep schedules and attention spans, depression and anxiety levels escalate with the use of social media, and parents have less and less control over what their kids are being fed through screens. Phones are with us everywhere, and they now follow kids into the classroom. And that’s where the real concern begins.

In a state like South Dakota, where local control is often preferred over sweeping state mandates, policies on cell phones vary widely between districts. But this subjectivity has created a kind of paralysis—schools don’t want to move too fast, communities are divided, and meanwhile, the issue grows. Superintendents and principals are stuck in the middle, hearing loud voices on both sides.

So where do we go from here?

It’s clear that the negative effects of smartphones can no longer be ignored. But should the burden fall only on teachers or individual districts? Or is it time for South Dakota to consider stronger, statewide standards that prioritize child development and long-term wellbeing?

A statewide law could be well-justified in this issue, especially when factoring effectiveness. However, we must balance this with the questions of local control.

On the contrary, good arguments exist surrounding leaving the issue to individual districts in the name of local control. Local solutions are often the ideal form of governance—a decentralized, locally driven solution, curated to meet the needs of a certain demographic. However, if we continue on our current route, will the stagnation endure?

As believers, we need to be part of this conversation—not just as citizens, but as Christians concerned with spiritual formation.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the issue, but we can look to Scripture for guidance on the topic.

In 1 Corinthians 10:24, we are reminded to not seek our own good, but the good of our neighbor. Smartphone culture is clearly harming the common good—hurting academic performance, mental health, and relationships. On the flip side, schools that restrict smartphones often see improved focus, better grades, and healthier, happier students.

Ephesians 4:27 instructs us to not give the devil a foothold. Smartphones, while not evil in themselves, can easily become tools of temptation and harm. Pornography is just a click away, and a Common Sense Media study found that 73% of minors have seen it online—over half before age 13. Cyberbullying is rampant, and even with good parenting, a child is only as safe as their most unrestricted peer. Harmful content is often shared student-to-student, giving the enemy a clear path into young hearts and minds.

Finally, humans have always been masters at distracting their minds, and cell phones are just another mode to disassociate. The lack of in person interaction certainly exists already, why do we need to further foster that? Even in biblical times, face-to-face connection was seen as more fulfilling and joyful, according to 2 John 1:12, where the apostle writes that he hopes to visit and talk face to face, resulting in joy! Kids aged 8 to 18 already spend an average of 7.5 hours per day on screens. Why should we allow that trend to follow them into classrooms—places meant for growth, connection, and learning?

Parents may not win the battle at home—phones are a constant source of tension. That’s why schools must take an active role. Without their leadership, the culture will not change.

Scripture reminds us that we were created for connection. We have a responsibility to carefully consider how to protect our children and young people from the digital influences they so easily depend on. Guarding that sense of true connection, both with others and with God, is essential to nurturing who they are created to be.