JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) -Lawmakers have been taking a deep dive into what’s causing a mental health strain on our kids, and the result could mean a big change for public school students in the future.
Representative Sam Creekmore is already drafting the legislation that he knows won’t fix all of those issues, but he thinks it will help since kids spend much of their day at school.
“This bill would ban phones from bell to bell,” he said. “How that works? We may leave that up to the school system to figure out, or we can put it in the bill. It hadn’t all been framed up yet exactly what it’s going to look like.”
The legislation would apply to the state’s public schools, and as Creekmore notes, it could leave flexibility to each district on exactly what no phones look like, whether that be in the lockers, backpacks, or something else.
“I’ve been on the school board, and sometimes the policy can be difficult to pass because it’s so personal and local, that I think this could give school boards cover for something that they want to do but may be reluctant to do,” added Creekmore.
He says the bill will include an education piece for both students and parents to explain the science of why less screen time is needed.
It will specify that recess or lunchtime can’t be used as a punishment because that defeats the purpose of encouraging more in-person social interactions. But Creekmore’s not alone in sounding the alarm.
“We need for them to put their cell phones in the backpack and listen to the teacher,” said Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann.
Lieutenant Governor Hosemann has been vocal about his desire to see schools make the change.
“Unfettered use of cell phones during education is going to be harmful,” Hosemann said to reporters this summer.
Creekmore says there’s no need for a pilot because they can see the impact of such a ban.
This year, Marshall County School District started requiring students to lock up their phones until the end of the day, using a special pouch similar to those used in schools across the country.
He says other members have started reaching out about joining in on filing this bill in 2025.
He’s met with the State Superintendent and the Department of Mental Health for their feedback.
He’s hoping to keep gaining the support of leadership.
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