A bill has been proposed to ban cell phones in schools from “Bell to Bell”.
The bill builds on a 2024 law that limits phone usage during instructional time and hopes to limit educational distractions in the classroom and create better learning environments for students across the state.
It would require students to leave devices at home or place them in a secure storage spot during school hours.
“I think this is something that again data and the science that has been coming out of pointing clearly to the idea that not just for students but for adults these cell phones can be focused killers right and they can be a distraction,” said District Seven State Representative Jake Teshka.
There are other schools and states around the country, both “red and blue”, that have a “bell to bell” cell phone ban in place.
The bill builds on a 2024 law that limits phone usage during instructional time and hopes to limit educational distractions in the classroom and create better learning environments for students across the state. (File photo, WSBT 22)
Teshka says those states have seen an increase in student socialization.
“That’s an aspect of this as well as to promote that that socialization those skills those soft skills to be able to start carrying a conversation with somebody that’s not behind the screen,” said Teshka
Critics of the bill have pointed out the concern of students not having their phone during an emergency. Others argue this could be a positive.
“National Association of School Resource Officers actually back in I believe it was October, put out a statement and said that they were supportive of Bell to Bell cell phone bans because in their minds and the law enforcement in their eyes it’s actually safer for children to not be focused on trying to text her get a hold of parents or anybody else if there’s an emergency in the school,” said Teshka
The bill would leave it up to the schools to determine how they implement the policy.
If passed, the law would be implemented for the 26-27 school year.
Currently it’s in the education committee and will be voted on next week before potentially moving to the house.
