State Sen. Marko Liias, who represents the 21st District that includes portions of Edmonds and Lynnwood, has introduced legislation that would require school districts to develop policies that prevent cellphones and other devices from entering classrooms.
The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Paul Harris, Sharon Shewmake, Perry Dozier, Jessica Bateman, Leonard Christian, Noel Frame, Bob Hasegawa, Curtis King, Deborah Krishnadasan, John Lovick, T’wina Nobles and Jesse Saloman.
Saloman is a 32nd District lawmaker who represents parts of Edmonds and Lynnwood and all of Mountlake Terrace.
In a press release announcing Senate Bill 5346, Liias said multiple studies found that cellphones and other electronic devices “have a detrimental effect on students.” The release cited a 2024 Pew Research Center survey showing 72% of high school teachers say cellphones “are a major distraction.”
The impact was less in middle school, with 33% of teachers finding cellphones disruptive. That number dropped to 6% of teachers in elementary school.
The release also cited a 2024 survey by the National Education Association, which found that 79% of educators consider cell phones disruptive, and 90% of the surveyed teachers support limiting phone use during class.
“We know students of all ages do better when they can focus and actively engage during the school day,” Liias said. “This bill will help kids concentrate less on screens and more on academic success.”
Edmonds Education Association President Andi Nofziger-Meadows said it’s vital to include district stakeholders in discussions about cell phone limits, including administrators, teachers, parents and – to some extent – students.
Nofzier-Meadows also said the bill could necessitate another district task force or committee to figure out implementation of such a policy, although added that could be done at low to no cost for most districts.
“Problem-solving this issue together will likely lead to better solutions and buy-in from constituents than if we were handed a one-size-fits-all package from the Legislature,” Nofziger-Meadows said.
In September 2024, the Washington State Standard reported that school policies requiring students to turn off their phones and put them in their backpacks have positively affected student engagement, not just with class but with each other.
The Edmonds School District already has a telecommunication device (cellphone) policy that regulate cell phone use during class:
– Telecommunication devices will be turned on and operated only before and after the regular school day and during the student’s lunch break unless an emergency situation exists that involves imminent physical danger or a school administrator or teacher authorizes the student to use the device.
– Students will not use telecommunication devices in a manner that poses a threat to academic integrity, disrupts the learning environment, or violates the privacy rights of others.
– Students will comply with any additional rules developed by the school concerning the appropriate use of telecommunication or other electronic devices.
– Students who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.
“We appreciate Sen. Liias introducing this bill and hope that legislative attention to this issue will create conditions for more successful implementation,” Nofziger-Meadows said. “However, the lack of adequate funding from the Legislature remains our largest concern and our highest priority for this session, and we hope our Legislators will keep the focus on the bigger picture of funding.”
The bill is awaiting a public hearing date.
– By Rick Sinnett
It has been the height of stupidity that cell phones were ever allowed in classrooms and should not take a state law to restrict them. when I was in school, chewing gum was a restricted distraction.
It feels like every time I turn around, there’s another set of rules being proposed for kids. The latest? Senate Bill 5346, enforcing stricter cellphone policies in classrooms.
Phones can be a distraction, sure. But is the real issue phones, or are kids disengaged because they don’t feel connected to their learning? Adding more rules to an already over-regulated system won’t create focus or success. It will create rebellion and apathy.
As a Chess instructor, I worked with kids who struggled to focus on a full game. Did I pile on rules? No. I empowered them. I found creative ways to make Chess fun and relevant to their lives. I didn’t tell them what not to do. I showed them what they could do.
Kids are overwhelmed by constant rules and being told what they can’t do. What if, instead, we focused on engagement, trust, and empowerment?
More rules won’t solve what’s broken. Connection will. Engagement will. Empowerment will. It’s time we stop trying to control kids and start inspiring them to take responsibility for their own actions and learning.
As a parent of school aged children, I fully agree that cell phone use during instruction should be prohibitied. But, I do not agree that they should be outright banned. We no longer live in a time where direction from parents can be, “be home when the sun goes down.” There are so, so many complexities – most notably, the fact we live in a time where many parents simply do not feel their children can be in environments which reliably guarantee a general sense of safety – and not having a way to contact them makes me uncomfortable. I am not just talking about safety issues at school, but outside of school and what banning cell phones outright would pile on top of a growing list of concerns for parents already. I appreciate the conversation for sure and think something needs to be done, but this seems more of a district enforcement issue than one that needs to be legislated to accomplish. I am young enough to have been on the very early age of cell phones in school (think Nokia brick), and it was simple: if it was out, you got a warning. Next, it got taken away. Next, you served weekend detention. I am not sure any of those things would fly any longer.
How about the state provides those cell phone bags you get at concerts to school districts and unlock with magnets, problem solved, can be unlocked between classes and lunch breaks.
https://www.overyondr.com/