By Bob Katzen
House 129-25, approved a bill that would prohibit the use of cell phones by students from the time they arrive in school until dismissal. School districts would be required to notify parents of this policy and ensure that parents still have the ability to contact their children during the school day and vice versa.
Other provisions require the secure storage of personal electronic devices; allow the use of technology that renders personal electronic devices inoperable; require school districts to make accommodations and exceptions as necessary for documented medical needs, language access and translation needs for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or disabilities that require the use of personal electronic devices; and in cases of an emergency.
The bill also restricts the use of social media by children. Provisions include requiring social media companies to implement an age verification system based on the best technology available in order to reasonably and accurately identify a current or prospective user’s age; banning minors under the age of 14 from social media platforms, by requiring platforms to terminate users under that age and delete associated personal information effective October 1, 2026; requiring social media platforms to acquire verifiable parental consent for 14- and 15-year-old users of their platforms; prohibiting social media platforms from sharing information about a minor’s LGBTQ+ status or other characteristics protected under state law; and fining platforms which violate any of these provisions.
The Senate has already approved a different version of the cell phone ban without the social media restrictions. A House-Senate conference committee will hammer out a compromise version.
“A bell-to-bell prohibition on cell phones and similar devices has long been a priority of mine,” said Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley). “I believe this measure, combined with age restrictions on social media, will support learning, personal growth and meaningful human connection. A social media ban for children under 14 is not extreme, it is responsible. Technology will continue to play a powerful role in our society, but it must not come at the expense of our children’s ability to learn, to connect with others and to develop into healthy adults.”
“Social media is robbing our teenagers of their time, their education and most importantly their health,” said Rep. Bill MacGregor (D-Boston). “By removing addictive social media feeds for users under 15 years old, we’ll be making major strides towards protecting our kids, and helping them build healthy habits online before they’re addicted. I supported this amendment to protect all the kids that have been or will be online, and the parents like me that have a hard time saying no to their little ones but worry about an unregulated and safe Internet. With this legislation, we’re one step closer to a safer and more healthy world for our kids to grow up in.”
“Today the House took an important step in helping protect the children of the commonwealth from predatory social media platforms,” said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “The science is clear that exposure to social media at a young age can have a harmful effect on a minor’s development. By banning it for those 13 and under and allowing for parental consent for those who are 14 or 15, we will ensure that children are protected while giving them the ability to express themselves online at a safe and appropriate age.”
“A vast majority of superintendents urged us to take the lead in restricting cell phone use from bell-to-bell in our schools,” said Rep. Ken Gordon (D-Bedford), House chair of the Committee on Education. “This legislation will help ensure students stay focused in the classroom, are protected from bullying and other forms of distraction, while also encouraging them to engage with one another and be present during non-instructional time. Beyond limiting cell phone use, the bill takes important steps to protect children from the harmful effects of social media on their health and well-being.”
“I support getting phones out of the classrooms, but a one size fits all law with no funding to help school districts implement those policies, I am against,” said Rep. Kelly Pease (R-Westfield) who voted against the measure. “I think the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education should develop a policy that removes cell phones from classrooms but gives the school district the flexibility on how that is done.”
“Although marketed as a child protection law, this social media ban would force all social media users in Massachusetts, including adults, to submit biometric information to tech companies to prove that we are over 16,” said Scotia Hille, executive director of the progressive group Act on Mass. “Allowing parents to request the social media activity of children under 16 puts LGBTQ+ youth and other marginalized teens at risk. At a time of mass surveillance and a crackdown on political speech, the privacy risks of this legislation are staggering.”
“While I strongly support the ban on cellphones in schools and the intent and goal of limiting youth access to social media, I voted ‘No’ on the bill due to concerns with data privacy in the social media sections,” said Rep. Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge). “Age verification for minors means age verification for all users, and this raises big questions of data privacy and protection.”
“While I support the underlying goals and intentions of both aspects of the bill passed, I have concerns with several aspects including First Amendment rights, personal data collection and storage for minors, and unintended unfunded mandates on our schools,” said Rep. Joe McKenna (R-Sutton). I believe that school districts already have the ability to craft and implement phone-free policies without needing a state law to mandate such.”
(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly No Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven No