DETROIT – Could Michigan should join the other states that have phone bans in classrooms?
Parents have mixed opinions on the idea.
”Kids should be focused on school and not on their cell phones," said Tanya Emerson.
”I consistently see cell phones being used for bullying, from peers or other students,“ said Emily Purcell. ”My own son, we don’t let him take his phone to school anymore.”
“I think the kids don’t need one more distraction in the classroom,” said David Rehrauer.
While some parents support limiting access to cell phones in class, other parents consider their child’s phone to be a safety connection.
“In school, they would definitely need their phones,” said Dave Morris. “I mean the times that we are living in right now, are very, very, crucial.”
As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer prepares to deliver her 2025 State of the State Address on Wednesday, Feb. 26, her staff said she’s expected to call for bipartisan legislation limiting the use of cell phones in classrooms.
According to the National Education Association, 91% of educators surveyed reported serious concerns about students' mental health. 75% described social media as a “serious problem” at their schools.
90% of educators support policies prohibiting cell phone use during instructional time.
Detroit Federation of Teachers President Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins said her organization would support statewide legislation limiting cell phones in class. She said past challenges with student cell phone use has resulted in some Detroit schools to get ahead of the game with their own policies.
”Academic dishonesty issues, sexting issues, texting issues -- Right there in the classroom," Wilson-Lumpkins said. “It’s a huge distraction for us. It had been.“
The topic of cell phones in schools is also a familiar one to Michigan Rep. Mark Tisdel.
”I dropped two bills on this back in August -- 5920 and 5921," Tisdel said.
In August 2024, the GOP lawmaker from Rochester Hills proposed a set of bills that would prohibit or restrict smart devices in classes for all Michigan students.
He said research shows there’s a connection between cell phone use in schools and a student’s mental well-being.
”It’s that combination of the cell phone, the forward-facing camera for the selfies, and then the social media platforms where there’s comparative imagery and narratives around these young teens and tweens lives that they simply can’t live up to," Tisdel said.
He added that he’s optimistic he’ll have more eyes on his proposed legislation now that Whitmer is expected to speak on the issue.