Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation that prohibits public school students from using smartphones during instruction time.
The legislation from state Representative Mark Tisdel of Rochester Hills seeks to eliminate classroom distractions. Tisdel tells us things like social media keep the minds of students off their classwork.
“Not only are you supposed to be focused on the knowledge that the teaching professional is trying to impart, but worse than that even is all of the drama that’s associated with or precipitated by the use of smartphones in schools,” Tisdel said.
Tisdell first introduced a classroom cell phone ban in 2023 but says he got a lot of pushback. Since then, most of the states have adopted standards for reducing the trouble caused by smart phones in class.
Tisdel sought as much input as he could for this latest bill.
“Worked both sides of the aisle. Spoken to principals, superintendents, teachers, former teachers, parents.”
The legislation still allows students to use their devices during non-instruction time between classes and during lunch so they can coordinate after-school activities. It also has exemptions for emergencies and medical reasons. “Dumb,” old-style flip phones are still allowed.
Tisdel says the bill doesn’t spell out how each school should enforce the ban. He says each can come up with its own plan.
“Each will have their own particular needs and abilities and resources, but there is a statewide standard minimum that needs to be met. And we didn’t put penalties or anything like that in the bill. These are professionals.”
The new law takes effect next year.
