LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In early June, Michigan Republican Rep. Gary Eisen (R-St. Clair Township) introduced House Bill 6171 that would ban cell phones in Michigan schools. It was referred to the committee on education the same day.

The bill, which only consists of two short pages, says, “Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the board of a school district or intermediate school district or board of directors of a public school academy shall ensure that each school operated by the board or board of directors develops or adopts and implements a policy that prohibits the use of personal cellular devices by pupils enrolled in the school during the scheduled school day when the pupil is at school.”

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The definition of “at school” is defined as “in a classroom, elsewhere on school property, or on a school bus or other school-related vehicle.”

A report from Public School Review, an organization that provides rigorous data analysis of USA public schools, explained in May why cell phone usage has been banned in many schools across the country.

They say, “While cell phones certainly offer students increased communication abilities, providing students with a tool for added safety and parent contact, many public school leaders assert that cell phones are a severe distraction in the educational process. Whether students are talking in the halls, on the phone in the restroom facilities, or texting during class, phones are proving to be a significant distraction in many students’ educational process.”

Parents argue that the phones are needed to keep in communication with their children for safety and emergency reasons. Proponents of a cell phone ban argue that the phones are disruptive and distracting, can be used for cheating on tests and used to coordinate gang activity.

Michigan News Source reached out to Eisen to ask about the legislation and how it came to be. Eisen said, “I was chosen to serve on the School Safety Task Force committee. While on the committee, I spoke with principals, teachers and counselors. I asked them besides mental health issue, school resource officer and door locks etc. what other issue would they like to see addressed…They all agreed that using cell phones during school hours is a problem. It’s a distraction, hinders learning and became the new form of bullying.”

Eisen continued, “They asked me if there was something the state could do, so at their request I submitted a bill to allow cell phone usage before and after school but not during school. Almost all schools now have phones in the classrooms for emergencies, or as needed. They told me one of many incidences of bullying with cell phones that took place during lunch hour where a 13 year-old-girl with braces was having a hard time eating a certain food and another student videotaped it, made some comments and shared it with others. Embarrassed her in front of the whole school and now she won’t eat a lunch at school. Then it takes in the social aspect with some kids having phones and others whose family can’t afford it. All the educators agreed that cell phones are a good tool for communication, but not necessary during school hours.”