Parents press Barrington School Committee for bell-to-bell cell-phone ban; student team studying policy

Several parents addressed the Barrington School Committee urging a districtwide ban on students' use of cell phones during the school day.

Annie Watkins said she represents a group of Barrington parents who have researched the evidence on smartphones and social media, and she asked the committee to adopt an "evidence-based, common-sense" approach: a bell-to-bell ban that would keep phones out of the classroom for the full school day. Watkins said studies tie widespread smartphone use among youth to higher rates of anxiety, depression and classroom distraction, and she urged the committee to support local and state efforts to limit phone access in school.

She referenced other nearby districts that have moved to limits or bans and told the committee a state bill had been introduced in the Rhode Island legislature to prohibit student phone use bell to bell.

Student involvement and district review: The committee heard that the high school improvement team and student representatives are actively discussing phone policy. A student representative told the committee the high school team has debated bell-to-bell restrictions versus an "off and away" approach and is considering options such as pouches for phones and other use-limiting strategies. The student team plans further work and will report back to the committee.

Administration response: Administrators acknowledged the issue is under active study at the building and district levels and said they will coordinate input from teachers, parents and student leaders before proposing a formal policy.

Ending: Parents said they will pursue advocacy at the state level if the district does not act. Committee members asked staff to track the student-team work and include the topic on a future meeting agenda for formal consideration if needed.