Ridgefield Parents Push For Bell-to-Bell Cellphone Ban At Schools

RIDGEFIELD, CT — A group of Ridgefield parents is calling on the local Board of Education to implement a “bell-to-bell” ban on student cellphone use at Ridgefield High School, aligning with a growing movement across Connecticut and the nation to reduce digital distractions in schools.

Among the local advocates is Jackie Britt-Friedman, a Ridgefield mother and child psychologist at the Yale Child Study Center, who said she joined the effort after learning about the “Away for the Day” petition circulating in town. The initiative seeks to prohibit student use of personal smart devices during school hours in all Ridgefield public schools.

“We’re a group of parents that just came together to advocate for this,” Britt-Friedman told Patch. “I’m a very strong believer in this, both professionally and as a mom.”

See Also: Here's What A New Cellphone Policy Could Look Like At Darien High School

The petition, launched in late May by local parent Kelsey Hubbard Rollinson, is backed by the national "Away for the Day" campaign and other advocacy groups like "OK to Delay." In just over three weeks, the Ridgefield petition has gathered more than 400 signatures. The group is hoping to emulate Darien, where the Board of Education voted on June 10 to pass a similar phone-free policy after 500 residents signed on to a petition.

Darien's cellphone ban won't come without its share of fiscal whinging. The district superintendent there recently revealed the cost for 1,100 device pouches, needed to dead-zone the student's phones, could be around $26,000.

At the state level, the movement is also gaining traction. Governor Ned Lamont has urged that stricter cellphone policies be adopted in Connecticut schools, and provided a framework of what the state regards as best practices. As of June 2025, 21 states and Washington, D.C., have signed or already enacted laws or policies regarding student cell phone usage in K-12 classrooms.

A Connecticut Patch poll conducted last year revealed widespread public support for limitations on student phone use. Of more than 2,000 respondents, nearly 83 percent said they favor stronger restrictions on phones during school hours.

See Also: Cellphone Pouches For Darien High School May Cost Around $26K: Addley

The Ridgefield advocacy effort is part of a broader "Distraction-Free Schools" initiative which includes educators, physicians, and attorneys from across the state. Several members of the group testified before the State Board of Education on June 11, providing research and firsthand accounts of the negative impact of smartphones on student well-being and academic performance.

In Ridgefield, Britt-Friedman and others are working to build momentum before the next Board of Education meeting. She said letters have already been sent to Ridgefield Superintendent Susie Da Silva and Ridgefield High School Principal Jacob Greenwood. While no formal plans are yet in place, parents intend to continue speaking during public comment sessions at upcoming meetings.

“I’m not sure what the procedures are for implementing such a policy,” Britt-Friedman said. “But we’re hoping to at least start the conversation and keep pushing for change.”

To raise further awareness, the two advocacy groups are hosting a public event at Nod Hill Brewery on June 18, with invitations extended to local officials including State Sen. Julie Kushner and members of the Ridgefield Board of Education.

See Also: CT School Cellphone Crackdown: Patch Poll Results

For now, the advocates say they are focused on education and outreach. Britt-Friedman noted that the original inspiration for the movement came from the 2016 documentary "Screenagers," which explored the impact of screen time on youth and led to the creation of the Away for the Day campaign.

“We’re seeing a lot of interest and support from the community,” she said. “We just want to give our students the best chance to focus and thrive during the school day—without constant digital interruptions.”

The Ridgefield petition remains open for signatures online here.