COLUMBUS, Ohio — A bill that would limit the use of cellphones in schools was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives on Wednesday.
House Bill 485 was introduced by Republican representatives Tom Young (District 37) and Phil Plummer (District 39). It is co-sponsored by representatives Gary Click, Bill Dean, Steve Demetriou and Jean Schmidt.
The main purpose is to enact a school internet safety policy and outline the effects of social media on children. Each school would be required to develop a plan and prohibit students from accessing social media platforms through the use of internet access unless directed by a teacher for educational purposes.
A section of the proposed bill suggests “a school district shall not permit a student to use a personal wireless communication device during instructional time.”
That suggestion comes with stipulations:
- Teachers would be able to permit the students to use their cellphones for educational purposes.
- Students would be able to use cellphones in the event of an emergency or to manage their health care.
- Students would be able to use it if it is included in the student’s individualized education program.
Ohio state Senator Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) said it's a conversation worth having on the state level.
"The results are very concerning, the mental health impact and the addictive nature of smartphones that it has on many kids through the most developmental years of their lives," McColley said.
House Minority Leader Allison Russo said, as a parent, she has concerns about cellphones, but is hesitant to take a one-size-fits-all approach.
"I also believe very strongly that this is where our schools, our school boards are best equipped to navigate policies that reflect both what parents want in those communities and what the needs are of the students in school buildings," Russo said.
A discussion on cellphone restrictions in Ohio schools
Just last month, Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted held a roundtable with several Ohio education leaders to discuss the impact of setting restrictions on cellphone use at school
Educators from around the state who attended the roundtable said that banning phones in their schools led to greater student engagement, fewer skipped classes and less bullying.
Several principals and superintendents said that their school cafeterias are noisy again because students talk face-to-face rather than on their phones.
DeWine encouraged all school districts to take a look at their phone policies and discuss what's best for their students.
"It's very difficult for an individual teacher to make a decision to ban cellphones in his or her classroom. I think it's much better if it's made at the building level and possibly at the district level as well," DeWine said.