(The Center Square) — New Hampshire could become the latest state to ban cellphones in public schools under proposals being pitched by newly sworn-in Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Republican lawmakers.
Ayotte, a Republican who was sworn into office last Thursday, said she would push for a cellphone ban as part of a broader effort to address youth mental health issues and curb teens’ use of social media.
“Screens are negatively impacting our learning environments, drawing students’ attention away from their classes, and becoming a barrier for teachers to do their jobs,” she posted on social media. “No more.”
Meanwhile, a group of Republican lawmakers have filed a proposal requiring local school boards to set policies restricting cellphone use by students during instructional time without a teacher’s approval. Students would still be allowed to use cellphones for classroom activities and school work under the plan, which would take effect 60 days after its passage.
If approved, New Hampshire would join a growing number of states in banning or restricting cellphones in schools, which is part of a broader effort to remove classroom distractions for students as concerns about their mental health mount. So far, only eight states — California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia — have banned or restricted cellphones in public schools.
Another 11 states, including Maryland and Alabama, have introduced bills targeting restrictions as of December, according to the health policy research group KFF.
Social media companies are increasingly being blamed for the rising rates of depression, suicidality and other mental health issues among youth nationally. In response, states and local governments are increasingly considering legislation and legal action to crack down on social media use.
A 2023 Gallup study found that at least 51% of American teenagers used social media apps for at least four hours a day.
