LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – More students than ever have access to a personal cellphone, and their own social media accounts, and lawmakers are looking to put limits on when students have access. State representative Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills) introduced a bill that would restrict students’ cell phone use at school.
Representative Greg Markkanen (R- Hancock) is a retired teacher who has represented the northernmost part of michigan for 7 years. He said while he would support restricting cellphones in classrooms, his first priority is student mental health.
Alongside reports of worsening student mental health, Michigan is now 41st in the nation when it comes to education.
“We’re seeing teen suicide, cyber bullying, things that really affected academic achievement and I’m very concerned about it,” Marrkkanen said. “That’s troubling when we used to be a leader in education across the state. I want to get us back there and I know my colleagues do as well. We need to raise up students across Michigan in their literacy rates, math scores, and science scores. Literacy plays an important part in all of them.”
Parents have also raised concerns about safety, and the need to contact their student during an emergency, but lawmakers say the focus should then be on better emergency alert systems to keep things running smoothly.
Markkanen said banning phones could be an important first step to addressing both issues, but the power needs to stay with schools. He said lawmakers have a lot of work to do to address state literacy standards, improve student safety, and increase per pupil funding.
Governor Whitmer said she would support a ban if passed. The bill has been referred to the House Committee for Education and Workforce.
