They were technically banned in my school in the 00s as well, but it wasn't enforced. Teachers often have bigger concerns than quiet kids.

I'd love for someone from the 10s to chime in, as that seemed the heyday of unchecked social media use.

I was in high school in the late 2010s. No cell phones allowed during most of class time, and it was somewhat enforced. I definitely recall students being chewed out for having their phones out in class, but I also recall some students having their phones out with no repercussions.

I was also in high school in that time period and had a similar experience. As I recall it, pretty much every student had a phone by 2007ish (flip phones back then), and using a phone in class was grounds to have it confiscated for the day and get a detention. This was absolutely enforced.

My college experience was similar to yours as well. All exams were paper (often blue books). Having a phone out would get you kicked out of the exam hall. But by the time I did med school, it was all digital.