Florida lawmakers late Friday approved barring students in elementary and middle schools from using cell phones during the school day — and testing the idea in high schools.
Current law prevents students from using cell phones during instructional time, but the change would expand that prohibition to throughout the school day in elementary and middle schools. Rep. Demi Busatta, a Coral Gables Republican who spearheaded the proposal, described it as “bell to bell.”
The cell-phone change was included in a broader education bill (HB 1105) that passed in the final hours of the last scheduled night of this year’s legislative session. Lawmakers, however, did not finish a budget and are expected to return to the Capitol during the week of May 12 to negotiate a spending plan.
While the bill would prohibit cell phone use throughout the day in elementary and middle schools, it would keep the current law about instructional time for high schools. But it also would create a pilot program in six counties that would prevent cell phone use in high schools during the entire school day.
Sen. Danny Burgess, a Zephyrhills Republican who led efforts to pass the bill in the Senate, said lawmakers were taking a hybrid approach and cited a “different dynamic” in high schools than in lower grades.
The pilot would be in two small counties, two medium-sized counties and two large counties selected by the Department of Education.
Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, raised concerns about how a ban would affect students who take part in such things as field trips during the school day.
“If there’s a field trip that’s out of town and they go to some event and it’s out of town, (and) the kids don’t have their cell phones, parents won’t have the ability (to reach them),” Gantt said.
But Busatta pushed back against such arguments.
“Just like we did it when we were in school and we didn’t have phones and we didn’t have smart phones, our parents were able to get a hold of us when they needed to,” she said. “They would call the front desk, you go to the front desk, you make a call from the front office.”
The House voted 85-14 to pass the bill, with the Senate following in a 26-5 vote. The bill is ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The bill also included changes that would help charter schools. For instance, it would require that charter schools get a cut if school districts receive sales-tax money through what is known as a local-government infrastructure surtax. Charter schools would receive proportionate shares based on school enrollment.
Also, the bill would make it easier to convert traditional public schools to charter schools. Currently, such conversions must receive support from a majority of parents and a majority of teachers. The bill would remove the requirement for teacher support.
–Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida
PeachesMcGee says
Our children need a proper and complete education. Social media does not provide this.
Let the schools do their jobs and as parents we should do our jobs.
Willy James says
Good effort but it should also include high school students as well!
Pogo says
@How did the human race
… survive before “mobile phones”? None of the adults will have a phone?
Think. Or carry on as usual.
YankeeExPat says
Score 10 points for the next School Shooters !
I’s their 2nd amendment right right to shoot a hole in your kid’s head !
Students having the use of Cell phones is impeding upon on the gun owners rights !
more tales of Stupidity from Floridity, Merica !
c says
“But Busatta pushed back against such arguments.
“Just like we did it when we were in school and we didn’t have phones and we didn’t have smart phones, our parents were able to get a hold of us when they needed to,” she said. “They would call the front desk, you go to the front desk, you make a call from the front office.”’
Yessir .. and back in the 1880’s, we had to send carrier pigeons out to our schoolkids when we wanted them :) But it isn’t the 1880s, or even the 1990’s or the 2010’s any more. Or even the 1950’s, no matter how hard you try to convince yourselves.
I’d like to see our beloved (so-called) legislators try to manage their day without todays’ technology. Challenge to you – You go the entire workday at the Senate or House without your cells (phones, not brain … we know you don’t use those), and then tell us how you used to manage it back when you were in school.
Shark says
They might learn something now !!!
Bethechange says
Unless you were managing a classroom before and after cell phones, it’s futile to explain how little allowing cell phones helped the learning process. No one is arguing their technological value, but considering their negligible value in advancing the objective of brick and mortar schooling vs the constant, very, time-consuming and distracting management of enforcing any and every cell phone policy, as well as fielding “concerns” about said policies from parents, many of whom grew up with and enjoy too much screen time themselves, this will be an overdue and welcome relief for teachers. And it may, just provide the necessary stress relief for them, to stick it out another year or two. Because on their best days, teaching is not for the faint of heart and wittingly or not, (suspect not) the legislators in Tallahassee are setting the system up (public or private-makes little difference) for a mass exodus. And please Thank a teacher any chance you get; they are typically the embodiment of the best of human characteristics.
Concerned Citizen says
I can remember growing up in the 80’s and 90’s no phones. Somehow we managed.
Myself and my brother were just as active in sports and scouting. And somehow we made it to practice and meetings. Now I see a 13 year old with the latest iPhone and Apple watch. Neither the phone or the plans are cheap. How is the latest tech and unfettered access to the internet detrimental to a 13 year olds growth?
What my wife and I see when we go out to eat. Are families with their phones in their face. Kids included. Our own nieces have fallen prey to tech and always have a new phone or tablet. When they visit we don’t allow devices at the table during meal time. And internet access is regulated. It doesn’t make us popular. But we prefer to spend time with family. Not let phones and devices baby sit.
Yes I understand this is a different world. And as a retired Law Enforcement and now Security professional I realize communications are important. I do believe however that our youth need a break from them. And schools should have some over sight. because really the problem started at home. When parents decided children needed smart phones.
If you really think a young child needs a phone. Many carriers offer a basic flip phone. Preload your contacts and you are good to go. Your child might not be happy. But they can still communicate. And for those who let their children have the latest phone and internet access. For goodness sake start using parental controls. it’s a crazy world out there.
Kennan says
Social media, TikTok, and smart phones have definitely become the worlds, heroin addiction since the turn of the century. However; in terms of emergencies, how did these kids prepare for the next school shooting? There will be more. Turn around time for the ability to make a call, or several calls is critical. I agree having phones during instructional time is definitely a distraction and not wanted, we have to live in reality though. This is the United States of Guns. This does not change what we have to do as parents. This does not change what we teachers have to do. Think it through and come up with something better than this. Thank you.
Jay Tomm says
Good intentions…..We all got by fine without cell phones in school. However the government should not be dictation this! That should be a Board of ed decision, or at least a schools by school one. We don’t want government to be passing these types of bans.
Sherry says
@ Concerned Citizen. . . the basic flip phone for “emergency use only” is a great creative idea!
Truth hurts says
If they protected kids like they do swasticars then maybe they wouldn’t need phones but with school funding being cut and racism ruling the day, I don’t mind if a kid has one and needs to call for help. Remember when Chong ripped down that safe space sign with joy! Exactly why DEI will come back and should be required everywhere as hate and racism is still huge in murikkka! Hell there is a whole political terrorist organization devoted to it. (Greed over People or GoP)