KIRO NEWSRADIO OPINION

Half of U.S. states regulate student phone use—Jake Skorheim says WA should too

May 26, 2025, 5:13 AM

regulate student phone use...

A pupil uses his mobile phone for research during a english lesson. (Photo: Matt Cardy via Getty Images)

(Photo: Matt Cardy via Getty Images)

Half of U.S. states have laws in place regulating cell phone use in schools. And for “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, the other 25 states should catch up.

“The tides have turned, and people have realized how dangerous these phones are for kids,” Jake Skorheim said. “It’s not good for their education. It’s not good for them as developing humans.”

Spike O’Neill agreed that cell phone use harms children, saying, “There’s so much evidence now.”

Jake questions why Washington doesn’t regulate student phone use

Jake and Spike believe companies target kids via cell phone use. It’s why they’re so passionate about better monitoring children’s use of technology.

“You get them addicted early to these social media sites and these different things that they’re doing,” Jake said, adding he doesn’t allow his children to have cell phones.

Jake questioned why Washington doesn’t have a rule on cell phone use.

“I don’t know why they want to make a phone rule for the state and just say, ‘Hey, these cell phones are not good for kids,'” he said. “We won’t let kids smoke. Why are we letting them have cell phones?”

Listen to the full conversation below.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

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Half of U.S. states regulate student phone use—Jake Skorheim says WA should too