Cotton, Kaine Reintroduce Bill to Study Effects of Cellphones in Schools

Washington, D.C. — Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) today reintroduced the Focus on Learning Act, legislation that would require the Surgeon General to complete a study on the effects of cellphone use in K-12 classrooms on students’ mental health and academic performance. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Katie Britt (R-Alabama) and Mark Kelly (D-Arizona). Companion legislation is being led in the House by Congressman Bruce Westerman (Arkansas-4).

“Widespread use of cell phones in schools are at best a distraction for young Americans; at worst, they expose schoolchildren to content that is harmful and addictive. Our legislation will make schools remain centers of learning,” said Senator Cotton.

“We need to do more to ensure students can excel in the classroom, and part of this means digging into how cellphone use in schools is impacting students’ mental health and their ability to learn and form relationships with their peers. I’m glad to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to provide us with more information on cellphone use, so schools and parents can make the best decisions to set kids up for success. I’m also glad that our work on this issue has already generated interest at the state and local level around the nation,” said Senator Kaine, who serves on the Senate Health, Education Labor and Pensions Committee.

Background:

The study would include insights from a pilot program, also established by the legislation, to provide schools with secure containers for students to store phones during school hours.

The bill authorizes $5 million annually for the next five years for the pilot program.

The pilot program will allow exceptions for students with health conditions, disabilities, and non-English speakers.

Schools participating in the pilot program will have a communication system in place that allows teachers, administrators, and staff to communicate with local emergency responders.