Phones banned in school from bell to bell

The Pennsylvania governor has signed a law banning all personal mobile devices in schools, making the state the 27th to adopt a bell-to-bell restriction statewide. The law was signed on Monday morning at Lenape Middle School in Bucks County, where such a policy has already been in place for several years. The law comes amid growing concern over young people’s mental health, as rates of anxiety, depression and even suicide are on the rise, even among elementary-age children. When phones, kids and schools combine, challenges often follow. A Pew Research study found that 72% of high school teachers and 33% of middle school teachers said cell phones in class were a “major problem” and that enforcing building policies was a challenge. At the bill signing, the governor’s podium had a sign that read, “Getting Distractions Out of the Classroom.” The law will impact all public, private, charter and cybercharter schools statewide, and each district must adopt a specific means of enforcing the ban before the 2027-28 school year begins next fall. The governor framed the law as a “common sense” way to improve student well-being and academic performance. Though some may be upset about the change, they tend to adjust quickly, he said at the press conference.

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a photorealistic news photo scene that fits this story: a classroom with a sign on the teacher's desk that reads 'Getting Distractions Out of the Classroom,' several students looking at their phones, a teacher standing in front of the class holding a phone, and a group of students in the back of the room whispering to each other.

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Phones banned in school from bell to bell

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All personal mobile devices are now banned in Pennsylvania schools from bell to bell.

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news

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The Pennsylvania governor has signed a law banning all personal mobile devices in schools, making the state the 27th to adopt a bell-to-bell restriction statewide. The law was signed on Monday morning at Lenape Middle School in Bucks County, where such a policy has already been in place for several years. The law comes amid growing concern over young people’s mental health, as rates of anxiety, depression and even suicide are on the rise, even among elementary-age children. When phones, kids and schools combine, challenges often follow. A Pew Research study found that 72% of high school teachers and 33% of middle school teachers said cell phones in class were a “major problem” and that enforcing building policies was a challenge. At the bill signing, the governor’s podium had a sign that read, “Getting Distractions Out of the Classroom.” The law will impact all public, private, charter and cybercharter schools statewide, and each district must adopt a specific means of enforcing the ban before the 2027-28 school year begins next fall. The governor framed the law as a “common sense” way to improve student well-being and academic performance. Though some may be upset about the change, they tend to adjust quickly, he said at the press conference.

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