Pa. lawmakers pushing bills to have students' cell phones locked away during school hours

[FakeNoose]

Among lawmakers, recognition of the problem is bipartisan.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette link: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2024/05/06/pennsylvania-legislature-students-cell-phone-education/stories/202405030061

HARRISBURG – As state lawmakers appear close to passing a bill to effectively take cell phones out of the hands of drivers, talk is increasing about taking cell phones out of the hands of students during school. Sen. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster, plans to file a bill in the Senate that would do just that. State Rep. Barb Gleim, R-Cumberland, filed one earlier this year that is awaiting action in the House Education Committee.

The concept embraced by both is having students put their phones in a locked container during the school day, and it would be unlocked when classes are over. Mr. Aument also plans to propose a pilot program in which some schools would get state money for “lockable phone bags” and data would be collected to track the program’s effectiveness.

But it’s not the logistics that may trigger an uproar. It’s the mere notion of school students being without access to their phones. A recent study published by the nonprofit Common Sense called getting a cell phone a “rite of passage” for children and adolescents. It found 97% of study participants used their phones for a median of 43 minutes during school hours. Social media use took up 32% of that time.

Mr. Aument cited the recent steep decline in the mental health in children. He pointed out that suicide rates for girls aged 10-14 increased 131% in a recent ten-year period.

- more at link -

Parents and teachers cannot monitor these children during the day and the students can't be trusted to monitor themselves. It makes sense to lock up the phones during class time, at least during the pilot study. If grades and other issues such as class participation and social behavior improve, then we have a win.

[onecaliberal]

1. This is only a win in districts with safe schools. This is a disaster waiting to happen.

If you think the majority of places are safe. Ask your district to see their plans.

[FakeNoose]

10. I'm in favor of the pilot program

Let's see what the results are before deciding whether to roll it out to the entire state. Yes there are safety issues, some schools have bullies and other behavior problems. But cellphones are definitely a source of distraction for many students. The teachers still have their cellphones to report problems, intruders, fights breaking out, etc.

If the pilot program (locking up the phones during class hours) shows that it's more problems than solutions, then OK try something else. But I don't think that's what they'll find.

[kimbutgar]

2. I agree 100% in my substitute teaching job

I recently battled a 4th grade girl over her cell phone use in the classroom. I gave her a warning to put it away and then she snuck it out during recess and was using it behind her computer when she returned. I sent her down to the principals office. The next time I subbed in the class she refused to come in. I let the principal deal with her. The other kids told me that she is disrespectful to them and her use of cell phones in the classroom also irritated them. The teacher told me he was tired of battling her about her cell phone use. I would have never gotten away being that disrespectful to any teacher when I was in 4th grade!

[FakeNoose]

6. This is a mirror of how they behave at home

Any time these kids can sneak something past their parents, it's a win. Teachers can't do their job while dealing with this kind of behavior. I completely sympathize.

[kimbutgar]

9. This particular girl told me that she had to call her grandmother to bring her lunch because she didn't like

The school lunch. You are correct she is probably left alone with his phone/computer or iPad and always gets her way.
life is going to be hard for her without limits or consequences.

Last time I was at the school she gave me a dirty look which I ignored with a straight face.

[VMA131Marine]

3. And if there's a shooter on campus and

students don’t have access to their phones?

It was students with phones who were able to provide details about the Uvalde shooter, not that the police acted on it.

[thucythucy]

5. So rather than deal with how guns are so obscenely easy to come by,

even for students, we'll instead allow another piece of technology into our schools that compromises children's ability to learn.

How totally American is that?

[VMA131Marine]

7. Well, I wouldn't take away the phones until

the schools are safe from mass shooters.

And yes, that is a ridiculous position for us to be in.

[FakeNoose]

8. Teachers and other adults in school still have their phones

It's the kids who have shown that they can't behave when a cellphone is available.

[thucythucy]

4. Norway has banned smart phones in middle schools:

and the overall result seems to be positive:


https://www.allsides.com/news/2024-04-27-0432/technology-middle-schools-norway-banned-smartphones-benefits-were-dramatic