TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) – Cellphones could become banned in public K-12 classrooms across Alabama if a bill makes it through the 2025 legislative session.
“We need to take cell phones out of schools,” State Superintendent of Education Dr.Eric Mackey said.
Alabama State House Representative of District 57, Patrick Seller, pre-filed the bill on Thursday.
“Currently, the legislative law in this state doesn’t allow the state board to make that rule,” State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey said.
If the bill passes, the Alabama State Department of Education will be able to create, enforce and amend school policies relating to cell phone usage.
“I certainly think the state board should have that authority, and I know that most of our board members feel that way too,” Mackey said.
Rep. Sellers proposed the bill after hearing from multiple educators and parents the issues and problems associated with students bringing their phones to school.
“It’s difficult for teachers to teach [and] maintain a classroom, especially when students have phones and are listening to music in their ear buds,” Sellers said.
Sellers, Mackey and the Tuscaloosa City School Superintendent Mike Daria said phones can be disruptive for the learning process.
“Unfortunately, we see them as a distraction in so many cases,” Daria said.
TCS’ current phone policy is that phones are kept away during classroom times, but they’re looking at alternative options Daria said.
TCS reached out to the school’s teachers, faculty, staff, students, and families to see what their opinions, expectations, or concerns are surrounding when and where a child can use their phone.
“Cell phones are necessary tools these days but there’s a time and place for everything,” Terence Pritchard said.
Pritchard has four children. Three of his children are adults now, but his last child is three years away from her first day of Kindergarden.
“As a parent, I feel that the state representing me should make certain decisions, and this is one decision I agree upon,” Pritchard said.
“I’m sure there are parents that may or may not support this piece of legislation, or support the idea of banning cell phones,” Sellers said.
While Kasey Hobart is not a parent, she has concerns for those who are if this bill becomes law.
“I do not think that’s a good idea given the current state that we’ve been seeing increasing in America,” Hobart said.
As of Sept. 4, 2024, there were over 200 school shootings across the United States according to CBS News. Three of those shootings occurred in Alabama on school property:
“If there was a school shooting, and I can’t get ahold of my child, I would be terrified,” Hobart said.
As TCS looks to make possible changes to their cell phone policy, the school system is looking at how a student with a phone on hand can play a role in safety.
“Should there be an emergency, and parents need to talk with their children, that’s important and we understand that,” Daria said.
The bill’s sponsor also empathizes with parents who would be concerned about how a cell phone ban could limit communication during a crisis. However, exceptions for when a phone can be used could be made.
“That’s why we put it in the hands of the state school board to let them come up with a broad policy of banning cell phone usage,” Sellers said.
Even though there’s a push by some lawmakers and educators to remove phones from classroom, they’re doing it for the student – even if the student or parent doesn’t see it that way, Sellers said.
“The academic success of every single child is so important, and if our goal is academic success, let’s do everything possible to make sure every child has the opportunity to have [that],” Sellers said.
Sellers and Mackey agree a statewide cellphone ban is a big step in the right direction to achieve that goal.
Besides a student staying focused and on task at school, there could be more benefits associated with a cell phone ban.
“It’s actually not the phone itself, it’s social media and texting,” Mackey said.
The State’s Superintendent pointed to associations between time spent on their phone and mental health.
A recent study found correlations between teenagers with anxiety, depression, and insomnia, with the amount of time they spend scrolling on social media.
“Even if students are still going to have access to that stuff during the rest of the day, for eight hours a day, we need to free students from being tethered to a smart phone and let them focus on learning,” Mackey said.