Mississippi bills to limit student cell phone use stall; lawmaker considers social media tax
Bills that would have restricted public school students from using or possessing cell phones during instructional hours failed to advance in the Mississippi House and Senate this session, lawmakers and sponsors said.
The legislation, introduced in both chambers, would have required all public and state-run schools to adopt cell phone policies barring use and possession during class. The bills set a Jan. 1, 2027, deadline to establish such policies and would have authorized the Mississippi Department of Education to deduct a one-day portion of state funding for each day a district missed the deadline, according to the draft measures.
Supporters said the measures were aimed at curbing classroom disruptions, cheating and harms to students’ social engagement and mental health. “They’re not interacting with each other. They’re staying on their phone, they’re not engaging socially or even physically,” Rep. Samuel Creekmore, R., chair of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, told Magnolia Tribune.
Some lawmakers said they prefer local control. “I wish that the local school districts would each come up with a solution that works for them,” Rep. Rob Roberson, R., chairman of the House Education Committee, told Magnolia Tribune, saying a one-size-fits-all law would not suit every district. He and others also acknowledged some parents oppose bans because they limit communication with children.
Sen. Dennis DeBar, R., chairman of the Senate Education Committee and author of a Senate bill on the issue, said he was disappointed an agreement could not be reached. “Unfortunately a simple piece of legislation that nearly everyone thinks is necessary did not make it across the finish line,” DeBar told Magnolia Tribune, while noting other education measures that passed this year, including pay increases for teachers and new math, literacy, financial literacy and civics initiatives. Creekmore said he plans to reintroduce a ban next session and is considering adding a provision to tax social media companies to fund children’s mental health programs, telling Magnolia Tribune he has looked at similar proposals in other states.
Source: Original Article
