RFK Jr. Wants Cellphone Ban In Schools

Director of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr believes children should not be using cellphones in schools, claiming they affect children’s health and their academic performance.

Speaking to Fox and Friends, Secretary Kennedy said cell phones “produce electric, magnetic radiation, which has been shown to do neurological damage to kids when it’s around them all day, and to cause cellular damage and even cancer.”

Kennedy went on to outline a variety of harms associated with excessive cellphone use by children and teenagers.

“Cell phone use and social media use on the cell phone has been directly connected with depression, with poor performance in schools, with suicidal ideation, with substance abuse. And you know … other countries that have done this [banned cellphones in schools]. The states that are doing this have found that it is a much healthier environment when kids are not using cell phones in schools. And the teachers loved it.”

Kennedy added that although he believes cellphones should be kept out of schools, he believes parents should make the decision themselves. Nearly 80% of American parents support a school ban, according to a recent survey.

Nine states have now brought in cellphone bans or restrictions in their public schools: Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Cellphone use among children is increasing rapidly.

In the US, survey data suggests 42% of US children will now have a smartphone by the age of 10, with 91% owning one by 14.

A meta-analysis of 25 studies showed a link between increased use of cellphones and other wireless devices and poor mental health in children and teenagers.