PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Newly introduced legislation is aiming to require K-12 public school boards in Wisconsin to adopt policies which prohibit the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices during class.
“We’re letting them write the policies. We’re not spelling out how exactly that needs to be done,” said State Rep. Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay, who authored the bill.
Kitchens says the pressures of social media and the distraction phones and other devices can pose are harmful to the education and mental health of students.
According to Pew Research Center data from 2023, 72% of high school teachers who participated in a survey said students being distracted by cell phones was a major problem.
“We need to teach them to use it responsibly. But a big part of using it responsibly is learning to put it down when you have important work to do,” said Kitchens.
Democrats, like Rep. Lee Snodgrass of Appleton, question why the legislature should get involved when many school districts already have cell phone policies in place.
“My big problem with bills like this is it seems to be overreach. We should trust those publicly elected school boards to answer to those students and their families and the district, and make these policies as they see fit,” said Snodgrass.
“The reason we’re doing this bill, honestly, is to provide backup for the schools,” said Kitchens.
Some parents, like Becky Hernandez of De Pere, believe cell phones are needed to be able to get in contact with their child during the school day.
“I get it’s a distraction for some, I really do. But to me, I want to be able to get ahold of my child during the school day. I’m not saying I do it all day everyday, but there are times that I’ll be like, ‘Oh, I have to tell them, like, I’m not going to be home after school,'” said Hernandez. “Teach your kids to be responsible with them.”
At least eight states have enacted similar cell phone bans in schools over the last two years.
The bill would have exceptions, which include emergencies, managing someone’s health or for phone use authorized by a teacher for educational purposes.
“We do allow the schools — again, it’s going to be their policy. But they can put in, if there’s a parent that’s sick that they need to be in contact, or, you know, a lot of other reasons. They can come up with the reasons themselves,” said Kitchens.
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