When Phones are Banned, Books Make a Comeback

Me, Little J, and his cousin attending a "Paws for Reading" event at our local library back in 2019.

When Little J was still little, I used to take him and his cousin to the weekly "Paws for Reading" event at our local library. Visiting library used to be a regular weekend activity for us, but we haven't gone as a family in recent years—partly because the library canceled the program during the pandemic, but mostly because, as Little J grew up, screen entertainment gradually replaced books in his life.

Thanks to a solid foundation from his younger years, Little J still has strong language skills and consistently earns A+ grades. But his younger brother, Baby J, isn't so lucky. Now eight years old, Baby J is never as enthusiastic about reading as his big brother was, and his academic performance remains average. His two favorite things in life are swimming and catching Pokémon on his tablet.

I often wonder, with children already glued to screens, whether we still have a chance to turn the tide. Recently, I came across some exciting news from Kentucky that gave me hope: a new statewide cellphone ban in schools has led to an unexpected and positive outcome. Within 17 days of the new school year, students a Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Louisville checked out more than 1,200 books—nearly half the total borrowed during the entire previous year. At other schools in Jefferson County, library checkouts have doubled, with as many as 40 percent students borrowing books. It seems that when phones are out of reach, students rediscover the joys of reading.

This uplifting trend contrasts sharply with sobering national data. The National Assessment of Education Progress, also known as the Nation's Report Card, reports that about one-third of 12th graders now lack basic reading skills. Education expert Tim Daly warns that the United States is seeing a rise in functional illiteracy—students unprepared for everyday tasks that require reading comprehension.

While many blame pandemic disruptions, Lesley Muldoon of the National Assessment Governing Board told The New York Times that reading and math scores began falling in 2013, the same time smartphones became widespread. Studies show that digital devices disrupt learning, not only for the user but also for nearby peers. Teachers increasingly report that students have shorter attention spans and less patience for long or complex texts.

In response, 34 states and the District of Columbia have adopted or proposed policies restricting cellphone use in K–12 schools. Kentucky's experience suggests that limiting screen time can bring immediate academic benefits.

For educators and parents like me, that's a hopeful sign. Since hearing the news, I've cut Baby J's screen time from seven hours to four per week. When he whines about being bored, I just read a book with him. So far, it's working. We finished The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow last night, and he loved the story. Maybe Kentucky's students—and Baby J—are proof that when screens disappear, books find their way back into children's hands.