A bill that would require North Carolina school boards to adopt policies that either eliminate or severely limit student use of cell phones during the school day is moving in the state House of Representatives.
The House Committee on Education voted to advance House Bill 87 on Tuesday.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Neal Jackson (R-Moore, Randolph), said limiting cell phone use “removes distractions from kids” when they should be focused on schoolwork. “It keeps them from playing games on their phones. It keeps them from cheating, and it helps them focus on their teachers instead of being addicted to their phones,” Jackson said.
NC Child Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations Tiffany Gladney (Photo: NC Child)Tiffany Gladney, Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations for the advocacy group NC Child, also spoke in favor of the bill. She cited research linking increased social media use and screen time to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among teenagers. “Although these new technologies have the potential for learning and networking, they also can negatively impact youth mental health, and that is why NC Child is here today in support of House Bill 87,” Gladney told the committee.
Currently, around 77 school districts in North Carolina have their own cell phone policies, according to legislative staff. The proposed bill would require all districts to implement a policy.
Newly elected state superintendent Mo Green has yet to express a position on the proposal.
Last month, Green told NC Newsline that “cell phones can be a powerful tool for expanding access to information, but they can also be a distraction for students in a classroom setting. As I begin my tenure as state superintendent, I am engaging with educators, parents, and students across our state to learn more about their experiences and opinions on this topic. After that engagement, I will offer my thoughts.”
While the House bill only direct districts to restrict the use of cellphones, a stricter version in the legislature’s upper chamber, Senate Bill 55, would require school boards to adopt policies that prohibit their use and along with all other wireless communication devices. The bill defines a wireless communication device as “any portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between two or more parties,” including cellular telephones, tablet computers, laptop computers, paging devices, two-way radios, and gaming devices.
Opponents of the bill have argued that limiting cell phone access could prevent students from communicating in emergencies. Tech advocates contend that restricting devices could stifle new avenues for learning.
The bill now moves to the Judiciary Committee. If passed, it would take effect at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
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