Podcast Summary: Post Reports

Episode: “This School Banned Phones. Remarkable Things Happened.”

Date: December 26, 2025
Host/Reporter: Maggie Penman (The Washington Post)
Key Guests:

• Jason Neuss, Principal, Ballard High School
• Cali Vickers, 10th Grade Student, Ballard High
• Dr. Jean Twenge, Psychologist & Author

Main Theme

This episode explores the growing movement of banning phones in schools, focusing on Ballard High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Host Maggie Penman investigates the immediate and longer-term impacts of these bans through interviews with students, educators, and one of America’s leading researchers on teens and technology, Dr. Jean Twenge. The episode discusses both the positive and challenging outcomes of strict school phone policies, dives into the broader context of screen addiction, and surfaces hopeful, actionable advice for parents and institutions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. What Happened at Ballard High School?

[00:33 - 01:51]

• “Bell to Bell” Phone Ban: Ballard High instituted a strict ban: no phones anytime during the school day, not even at lunch.
• Immediate Effects:
  • Students began talking with each other and engaging in class discussions (01:12).
  • Jason Neuss: “It's fun to see smiles on faces and students having a good time... We've gotten to the point where we even on Fridays during lunches have offered up bingo ... now they've asked for other games and events and things like that to happen.” (01:12)
  • Assignments are up, the overall atmosphere is more positive.
  • Unexpected Bonus: A “65 to 70% increase in books that have been checked out of the library” (01:51).

II. The Student Perspective

[02:42 - 03:56]

• Not All Students Are Happy:
  • Cali Vickers (10th grader): “I'd say a lot of students are still really against it.” (02:42)
  • Many students previously depended on phones as a tool for emotional regulation, especially those who came of age during the pandemic.
  • Cali: “...we never fully really learned how to emotionally regulate. So I feel like whenever there was no work to be done... they would just depend on that phone for emotional regulation. But now since that distraction is missing... a lot of that hyperactivity comes out during class.” (03:07)
  • The ban has led to more activity, but also some “separation anxiety” and discomfort as students adjust.

III. The Broader Screen/Social Media Crisis

[04:06 - 05:43]

• Pandemic Acceleration: Phones and screens played outsized roles during COVID-19 when schooling and socializing became virtual.
• Consequences: Increased teen depression, anxiety, isolation, and reduced physical activity.
• School Bans as a Solution: More schools and states are considering or have implemented phone bans; some young adults are abstaining from smartphones by choice.

IV. Expert Take: Dr. Jean Twenge

[05:35 - 12:39]

• Background: Dr. Twenge is author of “10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World.”

• Research Findings:

  • The spike in teen loneliness and mental health issues aligns with the rise of smartphones/social media from 2012 onward.
  • “We have a lot more data now... at the end of three or four weeks [abstaining from social media], they tend to be happier and less depressed than those who kept up their usual social media use.” (07:39)

• Problems with Early Phone/Social Media Use:

  • Disrupts sleep: 6 out of 10 teens use phones after midnight on school nights.
  • Hampers face-to-face socializing and physical activity.
  • Increases exposure to risky online content, social comparison, and cyberbullying.

• Actionable Family Rules (from her book):

  • No smartphones before driver’s license: “No Internet enabled smartphone until you get your driver’s license. That means they can’t have social media on their phone...” (09:53)
  • No phones in the bedroom at night: “Ideally, no electronic devices in the bedroom at night… Even if it’s off, it can disrupt sleep… buy an alarm clock.” (11:56)
  • Parental Example: “If you do have your phone out… tell your kids what you’re doing... This is called phubbing, by the way. It’s a combination of phone and snubbing.” (13:12)

• On Parental Hypocrisy:

  • “We’re allowed a certain amount of digital hypocrisy... but only a certain amount, because if you do not want your teen on their phone at the dinner table, you better not be doing that yourself.” (16:00)

V. Societal Shifts & Hopeful Signs

[16:24 - 22:38]

• Encouraging Trends:
  • More schools are enacting “bell to bell” phone bans.
  • Some Gen Z students are themselves advocating for social media regulation.
• Global Example: Australia requires age verification and sets 16 as the minimum age for social media use. Dr. Twenge points out U.S. policies lag behind.
• Why Delay Access?
  • “What educator or parent or developmental expert would ever say 13... is the best time to introduce social media. Of course, it’s not. It’s a terrible time.” (22:00)
  • Principal and teacher reports: banning phones decreases discipline issues, social media drama, and inappropriate use in schools; students have returned to face-to-face interaction at lunch (20:35).

VI. Making Progress — Even If It's Not Perfect

[23:05 - 24:00]

• Dr. Twenge’s Core Message:
  • “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good... If you’ve gotten those phones out of the bedroom, if you’ve given your kid a basic phone instead of a smartphone until they’re older... you’re still doing a lot of good...” (23:05)
  • Parents can reverse certain mistakes — e.g., replacing a child’s smartphone with a basic phone.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Principal Neuss: “Just seeing students engage with one another, especially during lunch, when normally, you know, the last couple of years, you'd walk in there and everybody's got their head down. They're just kind of scrolling through, not really interacting. And it's fun to see smiles on faces...” (01:12)
• Cali Vickers: “...we never fully really learned how to emotionally regulate. So... they would just depend on that phone for emotional regulation. But now... a lot of that hyperactivity comes out during class.” (03:07)
• Dr. Jean Twenge:
  • “If we can delay the introduction of social media until later, I think that would do a lot of good.” (22:28)
  • “We’re allowed a certain amount of digital hypocrisy... but only a certain amount...” (16:00)
  • “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” (23:05)

Timestamps for Main Segments

• [00:33 - 02:33] — Ballard High’s phone ban: setup and outcomes
• [02:42 - 04:06] — Student emotional and social responses
• [05:35 - 12:39] — Interview with Dr. Jean Twenge (research, rules, family experience)
• [13:12 - 16:00] — Parental habits and modeling
• [20:21 - 21:53] — Early outcomes of bell-to-bell bans
• [22:00 - 23:05] — Policy wishes and global examples
• [23:05 - 24:07] — Final advice and parental encouragement

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a hopeful yet pragmatic tone. Maggie and guests acknowledge the challenges and resistance to change—especially among students—but focus on measurable improvements and realistic strategies for schools and families. Dr. Twenge provides actionable guidance and reassurance, emphasizing incremental progress over perfection.

Conclusion

The episode delivers a nuanced, evidence-driven look at school phone bans: while they’re no silver bullet, they foster real changes in student engagement, social development, and school culture. The conversation with Jean Twenge grounds the topic in research and accessible, concrete family strategies, making this episode an essential listen for educators and parents navigating the digital age.