Michigan Inching Towards Cellphone Ban In Schools, Considering 2 Bills

I graduated from high school in 2017, which is a jarring thought when I realize it's been nearly 10 years since I exited K-12. When I entered high school in 2013, no kid dared to have their phone out in class. By the time I left, phones were freely out, earbuds were in, and being used to play Kahoot!.

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Since kids returned to school after the pandemic, cell phone usage has been out of control, and academics have been looking for increased resources to crack down on it. Now, Michigan legislation is considering not one but two cell phone ban bills, and it's up to you to decide which you prefer.

Governor Whitmer's State of the State

In Governor Whitmer's annual State of the State, one of Gov. Whitmer's final discussion topics was about education. Among other points, she discussed how cell phones are affecting mental health and how teachers are struggling for attention from kids who are always on their phones. As a result, she has called for bipartisan support to limit cell phone use in the classroom.

READ MORE: States Are Banning Cellphones In Classrooms. Should Michigan? |

Already, we're seeing the fruits of that request as the Michigan Senate passed a bill on Tuesday, May 6th, that aims to curb phone use. However, there are two bills about cellphone use in schools going through the Michigan legislature, with key differences.

To Ban or Not To Ban?

The bill (Bill 234) introduced by Senator Dayna Polehanki passed the Senate and is unique in that it is not a ban on phone use in classrooms; rather, it is a call for schools to create limits. How severe that limit is is up to the schools, so they could completely ban phones or be very lenient with enforcement.

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The bill (Bill 4141) in the Michigan House of Representatives, introduced by State Rep Tom Kuhn, differs from Bill 234 in that it calls for a complete ban on cell phones in schools. Students K-5 are fully banned from having phones on the grounds, 6-8 can have them on the grounds but can't use them during class, lunch, or recess, and students in 9-12 can't have them during class time only. 

16 states have banned or limited cellphones in classrooms, including neighboring states Ohio and Indiana. If you have a preference for one bill or another, reach out to your representative or senator and let them know.