MARLBORO, Mass. — Superintendents from across the state on Thursday heard Attorney General Andrea Campbell speak about her new STUDY Act bill to ban cellphones from the first bell to last in Massachusetts public schools.
Right now a handful of districts already have cellphone bans in place, but Campbell says she wants a standard across all schools.
“Young people are not distracted on their phones, educators don’t have to enforce a cellphone policy, but there’s a standard across the entire state to create environments that are free from distractions so that our young people can actually learn and our teachers can actually teach,” Campbell said.
There are exceptions for kids with specialized learning or medical needs. But overall the goal is to keep social media and cellphones away from students so that they can socialize and minimize the negative mental health impacts that the AG says social media is having on kids.
Despite having a Legislature that hasn’t passed many bills, Campbell is optimistic that this one will pass through.
“One thing I know is true, for both the House side and the Senate side, is that they are passionate about protecting our kids,” Campbell said. “Holding social media companies accountable and making sure that the very environment in which our kids are learning that they are distraction-free and that they are safe, so this is a priority for the Legislature.”
As far as the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents go, they have been consulted on the bill, and plan to continue to assess the practicality of it moving forward.
“Does it also have some flexibility for the individuality of districts to implement,” M.A.S.S. Executive Director Mary Bourque said.
This bill is still a long way from finding its way into schools, it needs to be discussed through the House and Senate with likely changes to be made.
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