Gov. Kay Ivey wants to ban the use of smartphones in public schools
FILE – Students using cell phones while writing Spanish. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Gov. Kay Ivey, in her State of the State Address, announced her support for a ban on the use of smartphones and other wireless communication devices in Alabama’s public schools.
“As a former teacher, I know that students cannot do their best when their learning environment is cluttered with distractions,” Gov. Ivey said. “Cell phones and other smart devices often dominate children’s free time and not surprisingly follow them into the classroom, lowering student achievement and contributing to discipline problems. I share the view of most Alabama teachers and parents that cell phones should be banned in the classroom.”
Ivey delivered her address tonight in the Alabama Capitol.
A bill introduced today by Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-District 29) and Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-District 15) would ban the use of cell phones on public school campuses during times of instruction statewide except as determined by local school boards.
The legislation is also designed to protect students from the harmful effects of social media by requiring all local school boards to adopt an internet safety policy governing student access to the internet on school-owned devices, the Governor’s Office said.
If approved, the State Department of Education would also provide safe-use social media training for all students prior to entering the eighth grade. This course would address the growing mental health threat to children and teens from cyberbullying, according to the Governor’s Office.
