PSEA supports new legislation that would restrict possession of smartphones and other internet-connected devices in Pennsylvania public schools, and prohibit their use during the school day. PSEA President Aaron Chapin testified on Tuesday before the state Senate Education Committee in support of Senate Bill 1014, which would require schools to adopt “bell-to-bell” cellphone bans.
Chapin warned lawmakers that mobile devices are harming student learning, social development, and mental health.
“Our country has a youth mental health crisis,” Chapin said. “Smartphones are, of course, not the only factor driving this crisis, but the precipitous rise in mental health issues – like depression, anxiety, and a lack of emotional regulation – corresponds with young people’s access to mobile devices and social media.”
President Chapin’s testimony outlined key principles we believe should be part of any cellphone policy, including local flexibility, limited exceptions for medical or educational needs, and consistent communication with parents.
Chapin also noted that the union’s stance has evolved in recent years:
“With the confluence of a myriad of factors, and as a growing number of states and school districts took more strident action on their own, our members started to believe that Pennsylvania could and should put the genie back in the bottle, as they say.”
