Mass. Senate passes school cell phone ban

The state Senate overwhelmingly adopted legislation Thursday that would enact a statewide ban on cell phones in public schools, bringing the proposal one step closer to becoming law.

Cell phone bans in schools are becoming more and more popular nationwide, and Massachusetts is no exception. At the start of the current legislative session, senators introduced seven separate initiatives that would impose a ban on cell phones in schools. Sen. Jason Lewis claims that no legislation to that effect was submitted to the education committee during the previous session.

The package that was put to a vote on Thursday was the result of lawmakers combining those several pieces of legislation. After passing by a vote of 38–2, it will now be considered by the House of Representatives.

The bill, if approved by House members and signed into law by Governor Maura Healey, would mandate that all public school districts implement cell phone prohibitions by the start of the 2026–2027 academic year. Bell-to-bell bans would be required, which would prevent students from using their phones throughout lunch and recess as well as the rest of the school day.

Senators spoke about the law and argued for its importance for hours.

This has nothing to do with disparaging technology. Lewis, who co-chairs the education committee, stated that this is about setting limits that enable our youngsters to develop, learn, and connect in more healthful ways. Restoring our teachers’ classrooms is the goal. It’s about asserting that, as a Commonwealth, we value our youth’s mental health and attention enough to take action.

According to Lewis, there are several reasons why school cell phone bans are necessary, including to enhance social skills and academic performance, address the mental health problem, make schools safer, and increase teacher job satisfaction.

Proponents of the bill point to a wealth of studies that demonstrate how cell phone bans can achieve these objectives. About 72% of high school instructors believe that cell phone distraction is a significant issue in their classes, according to the Pew Research Center. Teenagers use their smartphones for an average of 1.5 hours during the school day, according to research from Stony Brook University. According to Scientific American, numerous studies have indicated that, with certain exceptions, phone bans boost student performance.

According to Senator John Velis, the goal of this bill is to reclaim our classrooms from Silicon Valley and give them back to our educators.

Certain exemptions are carved out in the new law. Individualized education plans that explicitly state that a cell phone is required to manage a handicap throughout the school day would exempt students with disabilities. Students who have a verified medical necessity for a cell phone or other comparable equipment would also be eligible. Lastly, students would be allowed to bring their phones with them when they had to leave campus for additional educational opportunities throughout the school day.

In their cell phone prohibition rules, schools would have to provide one or more ways for parents or guardians to contact their children throughout the school day. A way for students to get in touch with their family, if needed, would also need to be included in the policies.

According to Education Week, at least 31 states and the District of Columbia mandate that schools prohibit or limit students’ use of cellphones. There is rising concern about the impact that cell phones have on students. According to a Pew survey this summer, over 74% of American adults are in favor of prohibiting middle and high school students from using cellphones in class. Last fall, this percentage was 68%.

Karen Spilka, the president of the Senate, fully supported the bill.

Although Massachusetts has a long history of encouraging and supporting K–12 public education for its citizens, she stated in a statement following the decision that a pocket-sized device poses a significant obstacle to guaranteeing student achievement.

A ban is supported by the Massachusetts Teachers Association and some of the most prominent elected figures in the state. Healey and Attorney General Andrea Campbell are among those.

We are aware that the greatest way to prepare our pupils for success is to eliminate distractions from their learning. In a July statement, Healey stated that limiting smartphone use in schools will benefit educators and parents, safeguard youth mental health, and promote learning and development for students. I’m hoping the Legislature will send me a law that forbids cell phones and other distracting gadgets in schools from bell to bell.

Ron Mariano, the speaker of the House and a former educator, has not made a firm statement on the issue. When and whether the House will take up the issue is uncertain.

Sen. Ryan Fattman, who represents Southbridge and the surrounding communities, and Sen. Kelly Dooner, who represents the districts surrounding Taunton, cast the two votes against the bill in the Senate.

I voted no because local governments should make judgments about the usage of personal electronic devices. “School districts are best suited to determine what works for their students without state-imposed penalties, and this one-size-fits-all mandate overrides their discretion,” Dooner told Boston.com.

In addition to expressing Dooner’s worries, Fattman brought up other issues about safety and the necessity of teaching youth how to utilize phones more effectively in a classroom.

In a statement, Fattman stated that since cellphones are essential to society, a complete ban on them in schools does not benefit kids or adequately teach them how and when to use them responsibly in a classroom setting. Additionally, instead of letting school districts develop rules based on the needs of their respective communities, this legislation establishes a uniform policy for all schools. Last but not least, this law ignores other aspects of cellphone use in schools, such as family communication during the school day, particularly in the event of a family or public safety emergency.

Since 2022, Ross Cristantiello has been a general assignment news correspondent for Boston.com, covering a variety of topics including as local politics, crime, and the environment.