Pennsylvania schools to enact bell-to-bell cellphone ban in 2027-28 school year

And now at 11, the big story on Action News is a cell phone ban in schools, one step closer to becoming a reality. Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a legislation that now heads to the governor's desk. Action News reporter Brianna Smith is live in Bucks County for us, where some school districts still allow phones. And Brianna, this could be a big adjustment. Yeah, Rick, and one that some students and parents aren't too happy with because they want direct access with each other, specifically during emergencies. However, lawmakers believe the ban will improve the students' education and well-being. I think it will make a really impactful difference. Senator Vincent Hughes co-sponsored the bill that will now ban cell phones bell-to-bell in Pennsylvania schools. The legislation requires each school district to develop a plan with some exceptions. We just believe that it will be extremely beneficial both for the academic side, but it also will be helpful from the mental health side and the behavioral health side. The exceptions would be made for students or immediate family members with certain medical conditions, students who need translation, single-day special occasions, students with individualized education plans, and devices used as instructional tools. This bill is taking an essential step toward reducing those distractions, keeping students focused in the classroom, present in the classroom, and allowing our members to be able to do what they do best, and that is to teach students. However, some parents and students are concerned about safety. A Ben Salem High School student says their current policy allows phones in the hallways and cafeterias. During the class part, I understand I don't really use it in class anyways, but I feel like at some point we do need our phones in schools because sometimes there are emergencies. Just as a parent, my concern where I can always reach my children, I'd rather they have a cell phone in the school. Educators believe there are better alternatives. What we have found is that phones in an emergency situation can actually create many of the same problems that we see phones creating on a day-to-day basis, and that is distracting students from what they should be paying attention to. And educators say some of those alternatives include students communicating through laptops or the front office, but some students say that's not always effective. Now, this ban would not go into effect right away. The governor needs to sign the bill into law, and then it would start in the 2027-28 school year. Live in Ben Salem, Brianna Smith, Channel 6 Action News. Rick? Brianna, thank you for that report.