Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and state lawmakers have introduced a bill to keep students away from their screens when class is in session.
An Act promoting Safe Technology Use and Distraction-free education for Youth, otherwise known as the "STUDY Act," would implement a "bell-to-bell" restriction on access to cellphones and personal electronic devices during school hours. The bill was introduced by Campbell, Sen. Julian Cyr, Rep. Alice Hanlon Peisch, and Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian
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Schools in Brockton, Newton, Methuen, and Lowell have already banned students from having phones in class. The bill would require all public schools to have policies on the use of cellphones, tablets, and other electronic devices on school grounds and at all school-sponsored activities.
There would be exceptions in certain circumstances, such as to accommodate a student's personal needs.
The bill would also require schools to have a policy educating students about the negative effects of social media use on social, emotional, and mental health.
In addition, the measure proposes standards for social media companies that encourage safe and responsible use, including an age verification system that keeps the user's age confidential from third-parties, default settings for minors to ensure privacy and limit prolonged screen time, and regular warnings about the harmful effects of social media use.
“The STUDY Act puts students and their mental health first," Campbell said in a statement. "By restricting cellphones during the school day and raising the bar for social media companies, we are taking bold steps to create learning environments free from distraction and a digital landscape that prioritizes the well-being of our youth. This bill is a commitment to both education and mental health for our young people, ensuring they have the tools to succeed without unnecessary harm."
According to the AG's office, cellphones in schools can distract and stress students and lead to harmful interactions like cyberbullying and harassment.