It’s elementary: Restrict use of mobile devices at school

Pennsylvania’s educators have long known that easy student access to smartphones, watches, and tablets is a problem in our public schools.

But when it comes to imposing restrictions, many have asked: Can we really put the genie back in the bottle?

The experience of other states and several school districts here in Pennsylvania tells us we can. And it may be the best thing we can do to improve student learning, reduce cyberbullying, and tackle the youth mental health crisis.

A bipartisan group of state senators has introduced Senate Bill 1014, requiring public schools in Pennsylvania to adopt “bell-to-bell” policies that restrict student possession and prohibit student use of internet-connected mobile devices during the school day.

Bell-to-bell means exactly that – from the first morning bell until afternoon dismissal. And the policy would go beyond smartphones to include other internet-connected personal devices like smartwatches and personal tablets.

Establishing a consistent, statewide expectation that public schools must restrict the possession and use of mobile devices for all students is desperately needed.

Importantly, the bill leaves it up to each individual school district to decide exactly how to limit possession. The state should not dictate a one-size-fits-all phone ban.

School communities, including students, parents, educators and school employees, need to work together to help design these district policies. School communities that collaboratively develop these policies have greater buy-in and an easier transition to new restrictions.

As president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the largest union of educators and support professionals in the state, I routinely hear from PSEA members about the problems with mobile devices in classrooms, from disrupting classroom lessons to facilitating cyberbullying to distracting our students from actually learning.

On a typical day, teenagers get 237 notifications from the apps on their phones. Think about all those pings and how many they are getting during their seven hours at school while they are supposed to be learning.

Access to mobile devices also facilitates peer-to-peer cyberbullying. Children’s brains are still developing, and they cannot always control their worst impulses when they have constant access to mobile devices and social media, even during the school day.

This is one reason why our country is in the midst of a youth mental health crisis. Smartphones and cyberbullying are not the only factors driving this crisis, but the precipitous rise in mental health issues like depression and anxiety corresponds with young people’s round-the-clock access to mobile devices and social media.

Under Senate Bill 1014, policies restricting mobile devices would include some limited exceptions for students with medical conditions, IEPs, or 504 plans, as well as students who are English learners and require translation services on a mobile device. It also contains an exception for instructional use in limited circumstances because teachers believe we have a responsibility to teach students about the responsible and safe use of technology.

Over the past two years, several school districts in Pennsylvania have adopted bell-to-bell restrictions on mobile devices, and educators report positive results. Students are interacting with each other more. There is more conversation and laughter during the lunch period. Classroom disruptions and discipline referrals have declined.

I understand that many of us, parents in particular, worry about what greater restrictions on student mobile devices might mean in an emergency. As a father, I understand how important it is to reach your child during a crisis. It took me some time to adjust my thinking and understand that bell-to-bell policies were the right step.

Security experts tell us that in emergency situations at schools, cellphones and mobile devices often get in the way of students listening to teachers and safety officers. We don’t want our students having their phones out, texting or taking pictures, while we are trying to get them to safety.

In non-emergency situations, parents can still contact the school through the administrative offices to reach their children. And many students have school-issued email addresses where parents can message them during the school day.

Passing legislation like Senate Bill 1014 will not be easy. It will be an adjustment for students, educators, and parents. But we know it is the right thing to do for our kids, for their overall well-being, and their academic achievement.