HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Pennsylvania lawmakers are looking to introduce legislation that would make schools across the Commonwealth “phone-free”.
According to the memo posted by Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37), Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-7), and Sen. Steven Santarsiero (D-10), they are planning to introduce legislation that would prohibit the use of phones during the school day.
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This Week in Pennsylvania
The lawmakers say this is an attempt to combat mental distress and mental health decline in children, which they say is caused by widespread access to smartphones and social media apps.
Furthermore, they assert that this legislation would improve academic performance through distraction-free learning while at school.
The Senators cite a study recently published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, which found that children who receive smartphones before the age of 13 were significantly more likely to experience serious mental health problems.
These problems include aggression, emotional instability, and suicidal thoughts.
“The impact of these addictive devices in schools cannot be ignored. Academic achievement declined over this same period as the use of smartphones rose,” the memo reads. “In 2012, math and reading scores dropped for the first time in 25 years, beginning a downward trend that continues today. We know phones are not only a distraction for the owner of the phone, but the entire class is disrupted by the constant ringing, buzzing, and checking of these devices. This not only results in learning loss for students, but it creates a frustrating environment for educators who try to maintain focus and order in the classroom.”
Additionally, the lawmakers cite a PEW Research Center study, which found that 72% of U.S. high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom.
To that end, the study says that 90% of educators support prohibiting phone usage during instructional time, and 75% of teachers support a “bell-to-bell” ban of phones during the entire school day.
It is important to note that the future legislation would make exceptions for students with medical conditions or individualized education plans that require the use of a personal communication device.
This proposal comes just days after the Carlisle Area School District approved a police to ban cell phones and other electronics in the classroom. A similar decision was made last year at Harrisburg High School, which created an initiative to create a “phone-free” learning environment.
According to the memo, if enacted, Pennsylvania would join 27 states in restricting phone usage in schools, including states such as New York, Virginia, and Florida.
This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available
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