Ohio Cracking Down on Cellphones in Schools

Source:https://www.axios.com/

A new state law in Ohio mandates school districts to limit students’ cell phone usage during school hours, with the aim of reducing distractions and improving focus. While the law doesn’t enforce a complete ban, it leaves the decision to local authorities.

Key Highlight:

• DeWine signed House Bill 250 last week, which mandates each district adopt policies to emphasize that cellphone usage “be as limited as possible during school hours.” It does not require a full prohibition on phones in schools, though districts can choose to go that route.
• In Columbus-area school districts, existing cellphone policies vary widely, from blanket bans to more lenient approaches allowing limited use.  The policy states “staff will be the final judge of the appropriateness of the use of any electronic device.”
• Due to school shootings and other security concerns have led to calls in favor of maintaining access to cellphones as an important source of peace of mind for parents. Parents are often the ones demanding to be able to reach their kids during the school day.
• Some experts link the dramatic rise in adolescent mental health problems to smartphones and social media. They’re increasingly recommending physically separating children from their phones during school rather than just asking students to keep the devices off or silenced.

Read More: https://ohio.childreninfobank.com/safebank/ohio-cracking-down-on-cellphones-in-schools/

Image: Source: https://www.axios.com/