North Carolina lawmakers are now discussing a potential new policy that would completely ban or severely restrict how students can access their mobile phones in school.
The situation comes as there is growing support across the United States for banning cell phones inside educational establishments. On Tuesday, the North Carolina House Education Committee approved HB 87, which would require school districts to adopt their own policies to eliminate or restrict student access to mobile phones during class time.
Restricting Students' Access to Phones in Class
If approved, the bill's provisions would take effect starting in the next school year. The sponsor of the bill is state Rep. Neal Jackson, who said that he put it together after talking to his local teachers and school leaders.
He said that they believe restricting students' access to mobile phones during class makes a significant difference in their performance. Jackson added that it removes distractions from the kids, noting that it stops them from playing games and prevents potential cheating, according to WRAL News.
On the other hand, Rep. Brian Biggs said that the proposed bill would also help kids feel less self-conscious when they are required to solve problems or give presentations in front of their classes.
Biggs argued that this was done because students would no longer have others Snapchatting them or taking pictures of them while they were in front of them. He added that students would be there and become more comfortable with themselves.
The proposed bill comes amid growing concern that students are becoming more addicted to social media and that using phones in class is disrupting their ability to learn. Now, the "Cell Phone Free Education Act" will go to the House Judiciary III Committee, News Observer reported.
Removing Distractions in School
If approved, the bill would make North Carolina the latest state to pass laws or enact policies that ban or restrict students' use of mobile phones in schools statewide. Lawmakers could also decide to recommend that local districts enact their own bans or restrictive policies.
One example of such a policy is at Moore County's Union Pines High School, where Jackson said that in the art room, students are required to put their phones in a container before starting class.
The lawmaker added that the proposed bill also tries to give school boards some flexibility in writing cell phone policies but requires that they implement one next school year. It is similar to a bill that was proposed in the Senate, which would add more requirements for school boards.
These include that the policies must establish consequences for students who violate the rules and that schools must submit their policies to the Department of Public Instruction, as per BPR News.
