(The Center Square) – Bipartisan support is growing for federal legislation addressing cell phones in schools, as U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colorado, introduces his Focus on Learning Act in Congress.
The House bill would direct the U.S. surgeon general to study the impact of cell phones on students’ mental health and academic performance in elementary and secondary schools.
It would also establish a federal grant program to enable certain schools to create a school environment free of mobile devices. This pilot program would authorize $5 million annually for the next five years to be used to provide schools with funding for “secure containers and lockers” for phones.
“As a dad, I know that cell phone use in school is harming our kids’ mental health and undermining their academic success,” Crow said in a news release. “That’s why I’m introducing the Focus on Learning Act so that we can better understand how increased phone use is impacting learning and give our kids the best opportunity to succeed.”
Republicans and Democrats alike have joined in sponsoring the legislation, joining similar state movements pushing for more legislation on the issue.
“Students across the country are suffering under the weight of social media algorithms specifically created to become addictive – and they are working,” said U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas. “Students are our future, and it’s time for Congress to put our nation’s young people first and cultivate the healthiest and best possible learning environment for our students.”
The U.S. Senate companion bill also has bipartisan support.
The legislation specifies exceptions for schools participating in the pilot program for students with health conditions, disabilities and non-English speakers.
Schools would also be required to have a system in place to allow teachers, students and administrators to communicate with local responders in case of an emergency.
In December, the U.S. Education Department released a recommendation that states and schools take action to put cell phone policies in place. So far, 18 states have passed legislation requiring that cell phones be restricted or banned during the school day.
In states like Colorado, where there is not yet a statewide law, school districts and legislatures are beginning to take action.
Currently the Colorado House is considering legislation requiring schools to regulate cell phone and smartwatch usage during the school day.
“Our children deserve to learn absent constant and, at times, indecent distractions that jeopardize their well-being,” said Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, one of the bill’s sponsors.
The state House Education Committee will consider the bipartisan bill Wednesday.
Elyse Apel is a reporter for The Center Square covering Colorado and Michigan. A graduate of Hillsdale College, Elyse’s writing has been published in a wide variety of national publications from the Washington Examiner to The American Spectator and The Daily Wire.
This article was originally published at www.thecentersquare.com
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