There will be a community discussion on cell phone-free schools this week in Lower Bucks County.
State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, a Democrat, will host the event Thursday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Zlock Auditorium at the Bucks County Community College’s Newtown Township campus.
The event will feature a panel to share information and resources regarding the impact of smartphones and other mobile devices on students in school and the potential benefits of banning their use during school hours.
Panelists are scheduled to include Kirstin McGowan, a student from Bucks County Community College; Christie Besack, a parent and advocate with Wait Until 8th; Central Bucks West High School psychology teacher, and Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, a Democrat.
Santarsiero said the discussion is timely given the increasing evidence of the negative effects of constant smartphone use on children.
“Each year, more studies are showing the negative impact of constant smartphone use on the academic, social and emotional development of our children,” Santarsiero said. “The impact of these addictive devices in schools cannot be ignored.”
He added, “Removing phones from our schools will help students focus in class, engage in healthier interactions with their peers and improve student mental health.”
The senator is currently working on bipartisan legislation with Sens. Vincent Hughes, a Democrat, and Devlin Robinson, a Republican, that would ban cell phone use by students in schools from kindergarten through 12th grade and bell-to-bell.
“This is an issue that impacts families throughout our community, our Commonwealth and our country,” Santarsiero said. “Other states are ahead of us on this and reporting very positive results from students and teachers. Our students deserve every opportunity to thrive in school and removing the distraction of cell phones is an important step.”
Thirty-five states currently limit student phone use in school, with 17 states and Washington D.C. implementing bell-to-bell bans.
Pennsylvania does not currently have a statewide policy, though some school districts have local policies in place.
The discussion is open to all community members. RSVPs are requested online at www.senatorstevesantarsiero.com/communitydiscussion.
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