Harger: Ferguson’s phone ban gives every parent a fall guy, including me
Jun 10, 2026, 7:01 AM | Updated: 11:33 am
I spend a lot of time in my commentaries on “Seattle’s Morning News” asking questions about Washington Governor Bob Ferguson’s decisions.
Before anyone reaches for a label, no, I’m not some hard-right MAGA guy who hates everything Democrats do. When I’m critical of the governor, I’m going after policy, never the person. If Republicans ran this state, I’d be just as hard on them. It just so happens that Ferguson is the big cheese right now, and one party has held the governor’s office since 1985. More than 40 years without a change in management.
But the job cuts both ways. When the governor gets it right, you say so. And on phones in schools, Ferguson just hit one out of the park.
What Ferguson’s ‘Away for the Day’ cell phone ban actually does
Ferguson’s plan is simple: No smartphones or smartwatches from the moment school starts to the moment it ends. Every public school in the state, kindergarten through 12th grade. He’s spending the next three months working out details with students, teachers, and districts, including exceptions for medical needs and special education plans. The bill goes to the legislature in December. If it passes, the phones go away in fall 2027.
You can read the governor’s full announcement here.
One footnote. The ban covers public schools. Governor Ferguson’s own kids went the private school route. I trust he’s been making the same pitch at parent night. What’s good for a million public school kids ought to be good enough for everyone, including the governor’s.
Even the strictest parents struggle with phones in school
Ferguson has raised kids through the smartphone era. So have I. And I’m here to tell you, even the strictest parents struggle with this fight. Anyone telling you it’s easy to just say “no” has never told a teenager her screen time is up. The grief comes in stages. Denial. Bargaining. “You’re literally ruining my life.” Then the door slam, which I believe is acceptance.
The numbers in the governor’s announcement are brutal. Teenagers spend roughly a quarter of their school day on their phones. That works out to more than 41 instructional days a year.
Forty-one days.
That’s eight weeks of school, gone to TikTok while a teacher stands at the whiteboard talking to the tops of heads.
But what about emergencies?
I can hear some parents already. What if there’s an emergency? What if I need to reach my kid?
Sure. Every one of us over 35 somehow made it through school without a phone in our pocket, and we all survived. Your kid can walk to the office and use the phone, just as we did. And if something truly serious happens? Every teacher in that building has a cell phone. I’m pretty sure they know how to dial 911.
Skeptics have a real argument too. About 75% of Washington districts already have some kind of phone policy. Why does Olympia need to step in?
Because the patchwork approach earned this state an F on a national report card. At least 31 states already restrict phones in schools, 22 of them all day long. The honor system got us here.
Every parent in Washington just got a fall guy
Now, the fun part. I criticize the governor’s policies a couple of times a month, always with a purpose. Starting in fall 2027, every parent in Washington gets to borrow my act. Your kid wants to know why she can’t bring her phone to school? Welp. Wish I could do something different, kiddo. Governor said so. I’m sorry. Now eat your breakfast.
And Democrats, you too can join me in criticizing Governor Ferguson to your kids. Blame him at the breakfast table. Blame him in the drop-off line.
Even Republicans in Olympia are stuck. They’d love to come out against this one on principle, just out of habit. But what’s the press release? “We demand more phones in algebra class?” Sorry. The governor said so. Vote yes and tell your kids it was his idea.
For one glorious policy, every parent in this state, left, right, and center, gets to point at the governor and shrug.
Bipartisanship at last.
The policy is smart. It’s overdue. Well done, governor.
And kids, if you’re mad about it, his office takes letters. Just don’t send them during class.
Charlie Harger is the host of “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of his stories and commentaries here. Follow Charlie on X and email him here.
