A Pew Research Center study found that 72 percent of high school teachers say cell phone distraction is a major problem in the classroom. Officials in Massachusetts are debating what to do about it.

Boston's WCVB-TV reported, "Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, who is already suing social media giants TikTok and Meta over their impact on kids, is advocating for a new law to restrict cellphone use in schools."

The station reported that Campbell's bill, The Study Act, "would require all public schools to have formal policies regarding cellphones and other personal devices on school grounds."

"It would require policies preventing students from physically accessing their electronic devices during school hours, with exceptions for emergencies or students who have individualized education programs," according to WCVB.

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According to State House News Service, "Campbell released a 'Cellphones and Social Media in Schools Toolkit' last week to give school districts help regulating student phone use in the classroom."

Campbell favors a "bell-to-bell" restriction on cellphones and other personal electronic devices during school hours.

Massachusetts Considers "Bell-To-Bell" Ban On Student Cellphones
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Campbell's suggestions to local districts include a "bell-to-bell" restriction where phones would be stored or locked away during the school day, an "off and away" rule requiring student phones to be turned off and stored out of sight, and a "limited use" policy that would allow the use of cell phones during designated times, like a lunch break.

Interim Massachusetts Education Commissioner Russell Johnston reportedly believes it is important to give deference to local authorities on this subject.

Callers to my program on WBSM have expressed concerns about their children not having access to their cell phone during the school day given the rise in violence at schools across the country.

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