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A newly proposed bill would ban public school students in Massachusetts from accessing their cell phones, tablets and other personal electronic devices during school hours.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell recently introduced the Safe Technology Use and Distraction-Free Education for Youth Act (STUDY Act). If enacted, the bill would impose a “bell-to-bell” restriction on cell phones 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 adopted policies to combat cell phones in schools. However, the brand new law would require all public schools to develop formal policies that prevent students from accessing their phones throughout the school day. The goal: to assist provide students with a distraction-free learning environment and improve their mental health.
According to a study According to the Pew Research Center, 72 percent of U.S. highschool teachers said mobile phone distraction was a serious problem within the classroom.
A current Pew Research Center Opinion poll found that almost all teens ages 13 to 17 use social media and own smartphones, and nearly half report being online “almost constantly.”
“The STUDY Act puts students and their mental health first,” AG Campbell said in an announcement. “By restricting cell phones during the school day and raising the bar for social media companies, we are taking bold steps to create distraction-free learning environments and a digital landscape that prioritizes the well-being of our youth.” This bill is a Commitment to the education and mental health of our young people and ensuring they’ve the tools to succeed without unnecessary harm.”
If the bill becomes law, public schools shall be required to have policies in place that prevent students from physically accessing their devices during school hours. However, there could also be exceptions, akin to when a student requires an electronic device as a part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or health plan.
The law also requires schools to coach students concerning the negative impact that social media can have on their emotional and physical well-being.
The AG's office pointed to research showing the negative effects of social media use on mental health.
“For example, after one hour of social media use per day, adolescents' mental health declines sharply and there is a decline in happiness and self-esteem, while at the same time self-harm, depression and behavioral changes increase,” said an announcement from AG Campbell's office.
The bill also requires social media firms to create age verification systems and privacy settings for minors, in addition to implement features that allow users to flag unwanted or harmful content, amongst other things.
image credit : www.boston.com