Committee hears calls to act sooner on phone restrictions and digital-citizenship guidance
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Summary
Substitute SB 5,346 would require OSPI reports on mobile-device policies and expand web resources on digital citizenship; parents, students, principals and researchers testified that phones harm learning and mental health and urged earlier action or stronger statewide rules with IEP/504 accommodations.
Substitute SB 5,346 would direct the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to produce an initial report by Dec. 15, 2026 summarizing district policies limiting student mobile-device use during instructional hours, barriers to implementation and, later, evidence-based recommendations. The bill also would expand OSPI's web resources on digital citizenship and research on mobile-device use.
Ethan Moreno briefed the bill and noted existing OSPI guidance; proponents urged an earlier report date and stronger statewide action. Parents, students and educators provided testimony: Takahiro Yoshida and Peyton Drader (students) described phones as classroom distractions and urged consistent rules; Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a University of Washington pediatrics and epidemiology professor, cited research showing typical students spend a substantial share of the school day on phones and argued phones' engineered addiction undermines learning; principals and parent-advocates described improved school climate after phone bans.
Witnesses urged clear exceptions for students with IEPs and 504 plans and for activities requiring device access. Some speakers wanted faster timelines (2026) or stronger, bell-to-bell restrictions; others emphasized local flexibility and district-level implementation guidance. The chair closed public testimony and asked remaining interested parties to submit written testimony due to time limits.
No vote was taken at the hearing.