Lawmakers in Alabama are exploring the possibility of introducing a new legislation during the 2025 legislative session that aims to restrict children’s use of technology.
During the recent State Board of Education work session, State Superintendent Eric Mackey discussed the possibility of implementing laws to restrict the use of cell phones in schools, a measure that has previously received support from board members. Additionally, age restrictions for social media were also brought up as a potential solution.
He remarked, “As a board, we do not possess the authority to carry out such actions.”
On Monday, Michael Sibley, who is the spokesperson of the Alabama State Department of Education, stated that Mackey is currently reading up on both issues as much as possible and did not have much to add.
As of now, there haven’t been any prefiled bills on the discussed topics for the upcoming session, which is scheduled to commence in February.
On Tuesday, Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, expressed her support for a bill that would impose limitations on cell phone usage in schools. Collins, who leads the House Education Policy Committee, made this statement.
She stated that while she was unsure of its potential popularity, she believed that it would be the right thing for education.
According to Collins, the use of cell phones by kids is not a positive thing. She disclosed that she had limited her kids’ phone usage when they were young, and her granddaughter doesn’t even have a phone presently. However, she expressed uncertainty about whether the Legislature is the right entity to restrict social media.
She stated that it is important for parents to be involved in those decisions.
Last year, Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, made an attempt to limit internet usage on school-owned devices through sponsored legislation. Unfortunately, the bill failed to make it out of the House of Representatives. It’s not the first time that there have been efforts to restrict technology in schools.
In a recent message, Hulsey stated that she was not prepared to make any comments at this time.
On Tuesday, Rep. Ben Robbins, R-Sylacauga, announced that he is currently drafting legislation concerning the use of social media.
During the recent legislative session, Robbins introduced a bill aimed at promoting social media safety in schools. However, the bill he is currently working on is different and has an education component that focuses on teaching students how to properly use social media while in school.
According to him, the bill bore resemblance to the one signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis back in March. The said bill enforced limitations on social media usage for individuals under the age of 16.
According to Robbins, he is collaborating with various organizations including non-profits focused on social media responsibility and technology groups to work out the specifics.
According to the speaker, he is currently engaging in discussions with stakeholders, and therefore, he is cautious about revealing too much information. He mentioned that some parts of the bill may be removed or negotiated out. However, the primary objective is to ensure the safety of children on social media platforms. The speaker hinted that the bill might even propose a ban on children accessing and using social media.
According to him, there are ongoing discussions regarding the most effective approach to imposing restrictions, whether it should be a centralized “top-down” method or implemented at a district level. He also expressed his belief in the potential benefits of Yondr pouches, which require students to seal their phones for the duration of the school day. These pouches are secured magnetically and can only be opened at the end of the day.
As the discussion around cell phone use in schools gains momentum across the country, potential bills addressing the issue have emerged. The belief that cell phones are a distraction during the school day has led some states to consider banning their use in schools. However, this has caused concern among some parents who worry about not having a means to reach their children during the day.
In an effort to address the impact of social media on youth mental health, the Office of the Surgeon General recently issued an advisory with recommendations such as limiting social media usage for children and creating tech-free zones for families. This was followed by a commentary by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, published in The New York Times, advocating for warning labels on social media platforms. The labels would acknowledge the significant mental health risks associated with social media use among adolescents.
Alabama Reflector reports that there are bills being considered by lawmakers in Alabama aimed at restricting children’s access to technology.