As churches grapple with the growing influence of technology on young people, many leaders are asking whether it’s time to limit or even ban cell phone use during youth events.
To help guide this conversation, we turned to Sharon Orr, director of Risk Control at Church Mutual Insurance, whose expertise in youth safety and policy development offers valuable insight into creating thoughtful, effective guidelines that protect youth while fostering meaningful engagement.
Q: Why are churches considering cell phone bans during youth events?
A: Many youth gatherings today resemble social media scroll sessions more than community-building experiences. Teens often sit together but remain glued to their phones — engaging with TikTok, Snapchat or YouTube instead of each other. Organizations are beginning to ask: If youth aren’t interacting, what’s the point of gathering? A cell phone ban or limitation might help restore meaningful engagement.
Q: What’s a good framework for developing a cell phone policy?
A: One helpful method is the DONUT approach:
- D — Development: Take time to research and thoughtfully craft the policy.
- O — Opportunity: Involve key stakeholders — staff, volunteers, parents and youth — in the conversation.
- N — Notice: Communicate the policy well in advance through meetings, texts and social media.
- U — Uniformity: Leaders must model the behavior by also putting away their phones.
- T — Timeliness: Enforce the policy consistently and immediately when infractions occur.
Q: Are there areas where cell phone bans are non-negotiable?
A: Yes. Bathrooms and locker rooms should be strictly off-limits for phone use. The risk of inappropriate photo-taking and privacy violations is too high. Churches must have clear, documented policies to protect youth and reduce liability. Even passive phone use — like watching videos — should be prohibited in these spaces.
Q: What exceptions should be considered?
A: While some pushback is expected, especially from teens and parents, legitimate exceptions should be built into the policy:
- Medical needs: Teens with chronic conditions might rely on apps for monitoring their health.
- Accessibility: Phones can assist youth with hearing, vision or language barriers.
- Family emergencies or jobs: Teens might need to stay reachable due to personal or family circumstances.
Q: Is there a middle ground between a full ban and unrestricted use?
A: Absolutely. Consider designated phone-use windows, such as before or after meetings. For longer events like lock-ins, schedule short breaks for phone checks. These compromises can ease resistance and help teens adjust gradually.
Q: How should churches implement and enforce such a policy?
A: Form a team to evaluate the need and gather feedback. Ensure the policy is vetted by legal counsel and approved by church leadership. A phased approach — starting with small changes like switching phones to silent mode — can increase buy-in. Transparency and consistency are key to success.
Q: Why is having a formal policy so important?
A: A well-crafted policy helps protect both the church and its members. It sets expectations, reduces liability and fosters a safer, more focused environment for youth. As technology continues to dominate attention spans, churches must be intentional about creating space for real connection.
Sharon Orr is director — risk control, education for Church Mutual Insurance and has been with the organization for almost 20 years. She has worked in the safety field for more than 25 years, including time with U.S. Army 513th Military Intelligence Brigade and loss prevention and asset protection for Fortune 500 companies.
