On a recent visit during lunch, the cafeteria at Camden Hills Regional High School buzzed with conversation, laughter, and connection. When asked how this compared to lunch before the phone-free school day, one of the assistant principals motioned to a table full of male students engaged in conversation. He said a year ago, those friends would still be sitting together, but with their heads down and their attention on their phones instead of with each other. 

At the recommendation of Governor Mills, the State Legislature recently passed a statewide ban on cell phones during the school day starting next year. Our district has led on this issue, making the school day phone-free at Camden Hills at the start of the current school year. This action followed a year of parent and community conversations, a community book read of The Anxious Generation, learning from experts, and board discussion. 

There is now a growing and increasingly consistent body of research detailing the harmful impacts of social media and smart phones on young people. These devices and platforms are designed to be addictive, and they have hurt young peoples’ mental health, wellbeing, and academic performance, including their sense of belonging, relationship-making skills, attention, and focus.

The positive impacts of the phone-free school day have been felt far beyond the cafeteria. During a recent presentation to the school board, school staff reported that students appeared more engaged academically and socially following the phone-free policy, culture and community are improved, teachers are not losing instructional time to deal with student phone use, and bathrooms are safer spaces. Administrators reported that they experience three or fewer phone violations a day across a student body of roughly 750, with students largely following the policy.

A teacher told us that her students are much more engaged in subject-specific conversations, and she can focus on education and not phones. That engagement is evident in visiting classrooms and listening to the rich discussions taking place without phone distractions. While many students were initially opposed to the ban and student surveys show they still find it inconvenient, they have appreciated the positive impacts as well. Students report an increase in communication and an atmosphere that feels more social, allowing them to connect more. 

One of us is a parent of a Camden Hills student, and the view from outside the building aligns with what staff describe. When getting dropped off at school, the phone goes off and into the bag before the door opens, no negotiation, no reminder. That habit forms because the policy is consistent and the kids know it. 

The concern we heard most from parents was what happens if I need to reach my kid during the day?

From the parent perspective, it’s been a non-issue. Email reaches our children between classes, or if a pick-up is needed, they email us (turning on alerts helped!). The front office has always put us through or gotten a message to students when it mattered.

What we hear from our children, and from other parents while comparing notes, is that the policy has landed better than expected. Most teens aren't going to call a phone ban their favorite development, and the complaints were real in September. But from what I've seen, some find it a more positive experience than they would've anticipated. The upside is real enough that kids acknowledge it. 

At the same time, Camden Hills continues to expand hands-on experiential learning opportunities that deeply engage students and equip them with the real-world skills they need to thrive. Increasing experiential learning is a key pillar of the district’s strategic plan, developed by the board, educators, and parents.

At one of our Board meetings, teachers shared how they were deepening this kind of learning in the classroom and by getting students out in the community, from tracking sea level change to working with Camden National Bank around financial planning and issues.

And during a recent presentation to the Camden Rotary Club, Camden Hills’ Hatchery Coordinator reported that the number of students participating in internships with local businesses and organizations tripled over the last year. As she noted, these internships support classroom learning with hands-on experiences. 

As Maine moves toward a phone-free day for all schools, the experience at Camden Hills showcases how schools can create the learning conditions that promote student engagement, wellbeing, relationship-building, and prepare students for success.  

Five Town CSD Board of Directors Chair Marcus Mrowka lives in Camden and Vice Chair Andy Wolff lives in Lincolnville.