In Marquette Poll, most voters agree: no cell phones in schools!

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis (WRCO / WRCE) – The latest Marquette Law School Poll came out last Wednesday.

It surveyed just under 900 registered voters earlier this month on things like the state and federal budgets, as well as the 2026 governor’s race.

But it also asked about cell phone use in schools. And the response was clear.

“We can be quick on this. Get rid of your kids’ cell phones!” said Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll during a presentation.

89% of voters say no to cell phones in classes. 72% support banning cell phones throughout the school day, including lunch and between classes.

It’s a timely issue for the Richland School District where the local school board is weighing a change for phone use in the high school.

The new language would restrict cell phone use during the day, whereas it is currently allowed in common areas before and after school during passing times and during lunch.

The school board listed a number of reasons for the switch: helping students concentrate, reducing stress, and encouraging health boundaries. They also listed clear communication with families and preventing misinformation during emergencies.

That proposal heads back to the school board next month. The conversation happens as there’s new national research on the link between screen time and mental well-being for youth.

A study published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association followed over 4,000 nine and ten-year-olds over four years.

It found that children with high or increasing levels of addictive screen use, especially for social media or video games, were more likely to show signs of anxiety, depression, and have thoughts of suicide.

Researchers caution that the study shows a link but doesn’t prove causation.