(Credit and Caption for Photo: <p>A recent National Bureau of Economic Research report showed strict cellphone bans using lockable pouches cut in-class student phone use by about <a href=”https://www.nber.org/papers/w35132″ rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”>80% overall</a>, based on analysis of more than 40,000 schools. (Adobe Stock)</p>

(Reported by Danielle Smith, Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania is one step closer to limiting student cellphone use in public schools. The state House has approved House Bill 1814, which would require schools to restrict student access to mobile devices for the entire school day. The “bell-to-bell” policy would affect roughly 500 school districts and more than 1-point-7 million students across the state. Aaron Chapin with the Pennsylvania State Education Association says when students use their cellphones for text messaging or phone calls during the school day, it’s disruptive to learning. He notes that 28 states currently have laws restricting student use of cellphones and mobile devices during the school day, including 19 others with bell-to-bell restrictions. Several school districts in Pennsylvania have independently adopted similar policies. Chapin notes 75-percent of Pennsylvania voters support cell phone bans in schools. House Bill 1814 is currently in the Senate Education Committee.