We solved for access. Now communities must define the boundaries.

Editor’s note: This essay is an entry in Fordham’s 2026 Wonkathon, which asked contributors to answer this question: “What rules should govern the uses of digital technology in schools—and who should set them?” Learn more. When South Carolina's restrictions on student cell phone use took effect in January 2025, educators across Horry County Schools noticed something unexpected. Students started talking to one another again. At lunch, conversations replaced scrolling. Some schools introduced… Read More