State Senator Ryan Aument | Pennsylvania
State Senator Ryan Aument | Pennsylvania
The Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Ryan Aument (R-36) aimed at improving students’ mental health and academic performance by limiting smartphone use in schools. The bill, which passed with a 45-5 vote, received strong bipartisan support.
Senate Bill 1207 proposes the establishment of the Cell Phone Lockable Bag Pilot Program. This initiative would provide grants to participating schools for the purchase of secure, lockable smartphone bags where students would deposit their mobile devices until the end of the school day. Schools involved in the program would be required to track metrics such as academic performance, mental health, and instances of bullying and other behavioral issues to assess the impact of a smartphone-free environment 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,” Aument stated. “Students deserve to learn without a constant distraction in their pockets, and my legislation would give them that.”
Since the early 2010s, there has been a notable decline in children's mental health and academic performance, which correlates with the rise of smartphones and social media apps.
“Last year alone, the commonwealth provided $100 million in new funding to schools to care for their students’ mental health. While we continue to provide resources to help students in need of mental health services, we must also target one of the root causes of our children’s mental distress: widespread access to smartphones and social media apps,” Aument added.
The bill also includes provisions for exemptions for students with documented medical conditions requiring smartphone use.
Senate Bill 1207 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Further information about Senate Bill 1207 can be found on Aument’s website at https://www.senatoraument.com/student-cellphone-restrictions-during-school/.
CONTACT: Stephanie Applegate
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