Massachusetts Attorney General Pushes New Bill to Ban Cell Phones in Schools
A new proposal from Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell takes aim at student phone use across the state. Her Student Technology Use Dependence Youth (STUDY) Act would prevent students from using phones during class time.
“The STUDY Act puts students and their mental health first. By restricting cellphones during the school day and raising the bar for social media companies, we are taking bold steps to create learning environments free from distraction and a digital landscape that prioritizes the well-being of our youth,” said Campbell in a statement.
The bill would require social media companies to verify users’ ages, strengthen safety settings for minors, and warn them about potential risks. Schools would need to create strict policies about keeping phones away from students during lessons.
Many Massachusetts schools have already put phone bans in place. Brockton High School, Newton, Methuen, and Lowell say they’ve seen fewer fights and better school safety since starting their restrictions.
The state helped this effort by giving 77 school districts money to launch phone management programs. The funding went toward storage pouches and phone lockers.
Most teachers spend valuable class time dealing with phones. One in three teachers has to stop teaching up to ten times each class to handle phone issues. Going even further, Buxton school in Williamstown got rid of smartphones completely, giving students basic Light Phones instead.
Following Florida and Indiana’s lead, more states are looking to get phones out of classrooms. These moves aim to cut down on distractions and get kids talking to each other more.
The STUDY Act is part of broader efforts to protect kids’ mental health and help them do better in school. When phones are removed from classrooms, teachers report better concentration and improved learning.
