California bill may add new limitations to cell phone usage on school grounds

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With AFP story by Rob LEVER: US-IT-Internet-phone-technology-teenagers
A group of teens check their smartphones outside the Natural History Museum in Washington on April 8, 2015. A Pew Research Center survey released found that 92 percent of US teens go online daily. The survey of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 found that 73 percent had a smartphone and 30 percent had at least a basic cellphone. AFP PHOTO/ NICHOLAS KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images) — A group of teens check their smartphones outside the Natural History Museum in Washington on April 8, 2015.

Should students be banned from using cell phones at school?

A new bill introduced by Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) would add policies to limit the use of cell phones in the classroom. The bill states that it “would require the governing body of a school district, a county office of education, or a charter school to adopt a policy to limit or prohibit the use by its pupils of smartphones while the pupils are at a schoolsite or while the pupils are under the supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school district, county office of education, or charter school.” Is a state mandate the right way to deal with the issue of cellphones in classrooms, or is this an issue best dealt with by the school itself?

Plus, if you’re a teacher or school administrator, would you like to see these restrictions implemented at schools? Do you think cell phones should be banned, or can they be an asset in the classroom? Weigh in and call us at 866-893-5722.

Guest:

Alex Cherniss, Palos Verdes school district superintendent