Legislation waiting for Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s signature would ban cell phone use during instructional times in K-12 classrooms.
The legislation would include provisions for the use of phones during lunch and recess, or in class under certain circumstances that include medical emergencies or special ed classes.
Ypsilanti Community Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Carlos Lopez says cell phone use in kids is widespread and a big source of distraction from their studies.
“A lot of our students are so connected to the cell phone that it's almost an addiction. What I notice is a large number of students are disconnected from everyday interaction with others, with themselves, going outside to enjoy themselves without having to be so connected to that cell phone."
Lopez says many students exhibit heightened anxiety due to constantly checking social media on their phones. He says modeling trust and respect is key to changing behavior.
“The way we teach, trust has to be embedded that, ‘Hey, my goal is for you to self-lead without me reminding you.’ So, I'm modeling that for you. But eventually, you're going to have to be a driver of your car, not a passenger.”
Lopez says their goal is to help kids learn to self-regulate and ultimately make decisions that improve their mental health and sleep quality.
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