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AG Campbell introduces legislation to ban cell phones during school hours
The statewide “bell-to-bell” phone restriction aims to improve students’ mental health and learning environment.
Newly proposed legislation would ban Massachusetts public school students from having access to their cellphones, tablets, and other personal electronic devices during school hours.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell recently introduced the Safe Technology Use and Distraction-Free Education Youth Act (STUDY Act). If the bill becomes law, it would place a “bell-to-bell” restriction on cellphones and other electronic devices at school “to improve the overall learning environment and school culture.”
Some school districts, including Lowell, Brockton, and Methuen, have already enacted policies cracking down on cellphones in school. But the new law would require all public schools to develop formal policies that prevent students from accessing their phones during the school day. The goal: to help create a distraction-free learning environment for students and help improve their mental health.
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According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 72 percent of U.S. high school teachers said cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom.
A recent Pew Research Center survey found that most teens between 13 and 17 use social media and have a smartphone, and nearly half say they’re online “almost constantly.”
“The STUDY Act puts students and their mental health first,” AG Campbell said in a statement. “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. This bill is a commitment to both education and mental health for our young people, ensuring they have the tools to succeed without unnecessary harm.”
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If the bill becomes law, public schools must have policies that prevent students from physically accessing their devices during school hours. However, there could be exemptions, such as if a student needs an electronic device as part of an individualized education program (IEP) or health plan.
The law would also require schools to educate students about the negative effects social media can have on their emotional and physical well-being.
The AG’s office pointed to research that shows the adverse impact of social media use on mental health.
“For example, after one hour of social media use per day, adolescent mental health steeply declines and decreases in happiness and self-esteem occur, alongside increases in self-harm, depression, and behavioral changes,” AG Campbell’s office said in a statement.
The bill also calls on social media companies to create age verification systems and privacy settings for minors, and implement features that let users flag unwanted or harmful content, among other measures.
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