Bill > A5205

Introduced Session

This bill concerns policies governing student use of cell phones and social media platforms in public schools. Under the bill, the board of a public school is required to adopt a policy concerning student use of cell phones and social media during regular school hours, on a school bus, or during school-sanctioned events where the student is under the direct supervision of a teaching staff member or employee of the board of education. The policy is required to: (1) provide age appropriate and grade-level differentiated policies concerning limiting and prohibiting student use of cell phones and social media platforms; (2) be consistent with a students IEP or educational plan; (3) permit student use of cell phones in the case of an emergency or in response to a perceived threat of danger; (4) permit student use of cell phones upon submission by a parent or guardian of documentation from a health care professional indicating that the use of a cell phone is necessary for the health or well-being of the student; and (5) permit student use of cell phones upon permission from a teaching staff member or employee of the board for educational purposes. Additionally, the bill requires the Commissioner of Education to develop guidelines to assist a public school in adopting a policy concerning student use of cell phones and social media platforms. The guidelines are required to: (1) address smartphones, cell phones with only text or voice, and other relevant devices, including smart watches; (2) list options that may be utilized by a public school for cell phone storage, including locked pouches and cell phone lockers; (3) provide guidance for a public school to establish network-based restrictions to prevent student use of, or access to, social media platforms; (4) detail protocols for communicating the school's policy concerning student use of cell phones and social media platforms to students, their families, and teaching staff members; and (5) provide guidance for establishing and enforcing disciplinary action for violations of the school's policy. Finally, the bill requires a public school to implement network-based restrictions to prevent student use of, or access to, social media platforms on: all school owned, issued, or managed systems and electronic devices; and the internet or the wireless network utilized by the public school.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Aura Dunn (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 01/16/2025)

Official Document