MOUNTAIN HOME, Arkansas (KY3) – When children in Arkansas return to school this month, new phone rules may be in effect.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently held a press conference to announce her school phone initiative. During the conference, the governor revealed that nearly 180 schools would participate.
“You make up 75 percent of our state that has joined the initiative for a phone-free society,” said Governor Sanders.
The focus on phones aims to help students concentrate in the classroom and protect mental health.
“Since the advent of smartphones and social media, suicide rates among young teenagers have tripled. Self-harm has increased by 200%, particularly among girls,” said Governor Sanders.
Their plan calls for schools to provide tools such as lockers or bags for students’ phones, where they can remain either during class or throughout the day.
Locally, state Rep. Stetson Painter, who represents Baxter and parts of Fulton County, said in conversations with local teachers that cell phones have become a major distraction.
“We have a lot of distractions. Cyberbullying is on the rise on social media,” said Rep. Painter.
In a statement to KY3, the Mountain Home Public School District said:
“Mountain Home Public Schools is proud to be part of Governor Sanders’ Cell Phone Free Schools Pilot Program. This initiative does not actually change our policy, but it reinforces what we are already doing by limiting cell phone use to non-classroom times. I believe that with this policy, we will see fewer discipline problems and greater student success.”
“I’m glad Mountain Home is part of this pilot program. Ultimately, kids are there to learn, not to receive notifications and social media activity,” the representative explained.
The Arkansas Legislature will return to regular session in January, and Painter said the issue could be considered.
“One of our top priorities in Parliament will be mental health,” said MP Painter. “Mobile phones have a lot to do with mental health. I think this pilot program will give us a roadmap on how to deal with that.”
To view the letter sent to Arkansas superintendents, visit the governor’s website.
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