Across the United States, more schools are implementing policies restricting cell phones as concerns about digital distraction, mental health and academic performance rise. Subscribe to our newsletter ...

The vast majority of school districts in the United States now provide school-issued laptops and tablets to students. But many educators now say the devices have become major classroom distractions.

Rapidly evolving are perhaps the two most apt words to describe cell phone technology. This tool didn't exist until the 1970s, and since then, it has transformed the entire concept of communication.