(The Center Square) – Support is growing for a recently-proposed Michigan state House bill which would restrict student cell phone use in schools.
House Bill 4141 was introduced last week by three Republicans, but could receive backing from Democrats after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced she would support cell phone legislation.
The bill would require school districts to have policies adhering to the specific requirements it lays out, which varies by grade.
• Students grades K-5 (elementary school) would not be allowed to have a “wireless communication device” on school grounds.
• Students grades 6-8 (middle school) would not be allowed to use a “wireless communication device” during school activities such as instructional time, breaks, lunch and recess. It would allow students to have it on them though.
• Students grades 9-12 (high school) would not be allowed to use a “wireless communication device” during instructional time.
The bill does allow schools to implement additional restrictions, with the ones specified being the starting point. This is different from legislation passed in other states, which requires cell phone policies but allows school districts to specify the guidelines around phone use.
The three-page bill also does not specify exemptions that might be allowed under the policy, such as for students with health conditions, disabilities or non-English speakers.
Many schools throughout the state have already implemented cell phone policies, with the rules varying by district.
For example, at Stephenson Area Public Schools, all students must power off and store phones in lockers or backpacks when entering the school building. Compare that to policies in other Michigan schools, where just certain grades have restrictions.
Last year, Republicans introduced similar legislation addressing cell phones in schools, but it stalled out before the end of the session.
State Rep. Tom Kuhn, R-Troy, introduced the bill last year. He said this issue needs to be an “important focus” for the legislature this session.
“Cell phones have paved a dangerous path for young students to be heavily engaged in social media platforms, resulting in harmful consequences for our students,” said Kuhn. “By keeping cell phones out of schools, this allows students to be more focused on their schoolwork, which has been shown to lead to increased success in the classroom.”
Whitmer also addressed the issue in her State of the State address in late February, highlighting its effects on students’ “mental and physical health.”
“It’s hard to teach geography or geometry when you’re competing against memes or DMs. Other states red and blue have taken action, as have most of Europe and Canada,” she said. “I understand the need to be connected to your child, but we can do better. This year, let’s pass bipartisan legislation to limit the use of phones in class.”
She then went on to call for “common sense restrictions” for schools statewide.
In December, the U.S. Department of Education released a recommendation that states and schools take action to put cell phone policies in place.
So far, 18 states have passed legislation requiring that cell phones be restricted or banned during the school day. Just this year, Wisconsin and Tennessee legislatures are considering similar or have passed bills requiring cell phone policies in schools.
The bill has been assigned to the Committee on Education and Workforce.
