Having mobile phones in classrooms has been a difficult issue for many years. However, only a few days before the next legislative session, a politician has introduced a plan that would provide financial incentives to school districts that restrict the use of cellphones by students.
“You know, this isn’t a partisan issue and this is a problem that we’re seeing nationwide.” It’s a growing movement across the country limiting cell phone use in the classroom,” Sen. Crystal Brantley stated (R-Doña Ana, Hidalgo, Luna & Sierra Counties.)
“You know, on average, the American teen now spends over five hours on cell phone, on social media alone, and that’s too much,” Sen. Brantley stated.
A bill introduced by Senator Brantley would incentivize school districts to take that action. “You know, as a mother, I’ve seen firsthand, as a senator, I hear from countless parents, the negative impacts that these phones and social media are having on our children,” Sen. Brantley stated.
Brantley attributes poor mental health and deteriorating performance on cellphones. According to her, action must be taken to encourage student participation in the classroom.
“It will help with social interaction, so that our kids, and most importantly, it will help with academic success, to get them focused on the teachers, on the curriculum, in the classroom, and log off online,” Sen. Brantley stated.
With the passage of this law, the New Mexico Public Education Department would get a ten thousand dollar grant to develop initiatives that would restrict the usage of cellphones.
In the city of Los Angeles, for instance, it is mandatory for students to keep their mobile devices in a pouch that may be locked while they are in class. When they leave the room, it will unlock for them. The kids are still to be permitted to access their phones in the event that there is an emergency situations.
“We have some successful programs in other states that have locked bags, and as they exit the classroom door, a magnet can release the locked bag, and so for in-between changing class periods, or perhaps on the commons area during lunch, students can access their phone,” Sen. Brantley stated.
Sen. Brantley stated that this topic, which is non-partisan, will put the mental health and performance of kids at the forefront of the educational system. “Not only are we focusing on the educational value that they bring to the classroom, but we are also taking advantage of this opportunity to address the mental health crisis that we are witnessing among our adolescents’ population.”
The hope During school hours, Christian has already restricted the use of mobile phones.
The use of cellphones is restricted in Albuquerque Public Schools, and Santa Fe Public Schools is contemplating a regulation that would require students to keep their phones turned off and out of sight when they are in the classroom.
