HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The Pennsylvania State Senate passed legislation Wednesday that would limit the use of smartphones in schools.
According to Sen. Ryan Aument’s office, Senate Bill 1207 (which he sponsors) would establish the Cellphone Lockable Bag Pilot Program to award grants to participating schools to purchase lockable smartphone bags.
The idea is that students would deposit their phones into the lockable bags until the end of the school day.
S.B. 1207 would also require participating schools to track certain metrics such as academic performance, mental health, and instances of bullying and other behavioral issues.
This will allow there to be studies on the impact of smartphone-free schools on students.
“Kids spend so much time on social media and using their smartphones, that it’s taking a toll on them mentally, emotionally and academically. Smartphone restrictions have proved successful in reversing these trends,” Sen. Aument said. “Students deserve to learn without a constant distraction in their pockets and my legislation would give them that.”