School Cell Phone Ban Proposal Forum Set In Bucks Co.

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY — It's a hot topic in schools: Should students have access to their cell phones during school hours?

That topic will be a community discussion on Thursday, hosted by state Sen. Steve Santarsiero at the Bucks County Community College in Newtown.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. inside the Zlock Auditorium

“Each year, more studies are showing the negative impact of constant smartphone use on the academic, social, and emotional development of our children. The impact of these addictive devices in schools cannot be ignored,” said Santarsiero, who represents Pennsylvania's 10th Senatorial District in Harrisburg. “Removing phones from our schools will help students focus in class, engage in healthier interactions with their peers, and improve student mental health.”

The community discussion will feature a panel who will share information and resources on the topic.

Panelists will include a student from Bucks County Community College; Kirstin McGowan, a parent and advocate with Wait Until 8th; Christie Besack, a psychology teacher at Central Bucks West High School; and Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia.

The conversation will focus on the impact of smartphones and other mobile devices on students in school, and the benefits of banning cell phones and other smart devices during school hours.

The event is open to all community members. RSVP is requested by clicking here.

Santarsiero is working on bi-partisan legislation with state Sens. Vincent Hughes (D-7) and Devlin Robinson (R-37) to ban cell phone use by students in schools, bell-to-bell, from kindergarten through 12th grade.

“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 the District of Columbia implementing bell-to-bell bans.

Pennsylvania does not currently have a statewide policy, though some school districts have policies in place.

The 10th Senate District includes Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, Buckingham Township, Chalfont Borough, Doylestown Borough, Doylestown Township, Falls Township, Lower Makefield Township, Morrisville Borough, New Britain Borough, New Britain Township, New Hope Borough, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Plumstead Township, Solebury Township, Tullytown Borough, Upper Makefield Township, and Yardley Borough.