Bill would ban cell phones in class

Why schools allowed cell phones to invade the classroom at all remains a mystery to anyone who spends time around teenagers. Yet it’s only now that legislation to ban mobile devices from classrooms and educational events will finally come before North Dakota lawmakers. The proposed legislation would finally put common sense clamps on cell phone usage in schools, according to the Bismarck Tribune.

Public school students statewide would face limits on cellphone use under a bill being considered by the North Dakota Legislature.

House Bill 1160 is sponsored by Rep. Jim Jonas, a Republican from West Fargo.

Under the bill, schools would prohibit students from using their cellphones during instructional time, referring to when they attend class or an educational activity.

It took a former teacher, Rep. Jonas, to propose the long overdue restrictions. Under his legislation, students would still be allowed to fire up their phones outside the classroom. But the devices would no longer be a distraction from the focus on academics.

Jonas, a retired West Fargo Public Schools teacher and coach and current school board member, said the idea for the bill comes from talking with school administration and fellow teachers who are trying to get students more engaged in the classroom.

“The premise is getting engagement, academic achievement. I’m hoping that we see increases in our reading scores, our math scores,” he said.

Another concern is the mental health harm that can occur from cyberbullying, he said, or students not receiving the “likes” they’re hoping for on their social media posts.

Some North Dakota schools and schools in other states have taken the lead in recognizing cell phones present a big obstacle to learning and the well-being of students. No doubt many students have wondered what took the adults so long.

A number of schools in the Fargo-Moorhead area have already taken action on limiting student cellphone use.

At the start of the 2023-24 school year, Shanley High School, a Catholic school in Fargo, implemented a policy that requires cellphones to be shut off during the school day and stored in a locker, car or backpack.

There’s some pushback on an across the board ban in classes. And the legislation has already been tweaked to allow for medical and other exceptions for qualifying students. But the days of unfettered access to cell phones in school appear to be nearly over.