Fwiw when I was in school kids would definitely check their phones from time to time or send an occasional surreptitious text. But it wasn't as pervasive as it is today- I was pretty shocked to see even at the elementary school level how much class time kids spend on their personal devices

> which doesn't typically work on teenagers

Depends. You have "good kids" and "bad kids".

If this law helps the good kids, then that's at least a win.

In many US schools, they'd take those things away (and return them at end of day, typically) 20-30 years ago. But it helps when it's policy, if it's not a policy then the teacher has no backing from the school.

It definitely reduced usesge though. I was the same age in teens with dumb phones and they were only banned in class. Either way, it's better to have the restrictions in this case than a free for all because teenagers will push limits constantly. I don't see a downside to this.

It absolutely worked in my school a little over 20 years ago. Teachers and staff always took away disallowed devices and that set the tone quite well.

If it’s legally grounded you get more options.

I've talked to parents of kids where they banned smartphones and the difference is palpable. And good.

Eh? It did work. You'd get it confiscated off you.