As a nationwide push to ban cellphones in schools grows, Congress looks to get involved

By Ryan Nobles and Frank Thorp V

FAIRFAX, Va. — A bipartisan duo of senators is looking to back the efforts a growing number of states around the country are taking to ban or limit students’ use of cellphones in classrooms.

A recent Associated Press study found that nine states have already implemented statewide restrictions related to cellphones in schools, while another 39 are exploring them. That’s caught the attention of Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., who have proposed a bill to provide federal funding to incentivize classroom cellphone restrictions.

“It’s an issue where we can come together and try to empower parents and school districts to make the right choices for their kids and their students,” Cotton said.

The legislation would provide up to $5 million to school districts nationwide to study and develop pilot programs to lay the groundwork for long-term cellphone bans.

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