Committee hears bill to restrict student cell phone use in classrooms; proponents cite academic gains and discipline improvements

The House Education and Workforce Committee took testimony on House Bill 41‑41, a measure introduced by Representative Mark Tisdale that would restrict student cell phone use during instructional time in Michigan schools. Sponsors and witnesses urged the committee to set statewide guardrails for classroom phone use, while one statewide school board association urged flexibility for local districts.

Tisdale framed the bill as a public‑health and instructional issue, citing recent national coverage and research on attention and adolescent mental health. He told the committee he had worked with superintendents and county officials and described other states’ actions as context for Michigan’s proposal.

Jennifer Wilson, a licensed counselor who said she has more than 20 years of experience in Michigan education and counseling, testified that unrestricted phone access “undermines students’ ability to thrive” and described effects she attributed to phone and social media use: “Loss of focus, engagement, connection, learning, social emotional well‑being.” Wilson told the committee the constant digital stimulus decreases executive functioning and can…