Survey Shows Strong Support for Cell Phone Restrictions in Queen Anne’s County Schools

​Preliminary survey results show many parents and teachers in Queen Anne’s County have concerns about student cell phone use in schools.

Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Schrecongost presented the findings to the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education on April 1. The survey, conducted over about two weeks, received more than 1,300 responses from parents and over 260 from staff.

Results show cell phone ownership increases with age, with about 17% of elementary students having phones, compared to 84% of middle school students and nearly all high school students.

A large majority of parents support restrictions during the school day. More than 90% of elementary parents, 85% of middle school parents, and 76% of high school parents favored limits on phone use.

Many parents also reported concerns about the impact on learning, with most saying cell phones have a moderate to major negative effect in the classroom.
When it comes to policy, preferences varied. Many parents and teachers supported allowing phones but requiring them to be off and out of sight, while others favored limited use during non-instructional times or stricter bans.

Among staff, about 80% reported a negative impact from cell phone use, with most teachers supporting restrictions.
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Superintendent Dr. Matthew Kibler noted that proposed state legislation could require all Maryland school systems to adopt cell phone policies by the 2027–2028 school year.