Boston schools propose bell-to-bell ban on phones and other devices
Boston Public Schools wants students to keep phones and other personal devices off for the whole school day. The plan would cover every grade and start in fall 2027. The School Committee plans to vote on it in January, GBH News and Boston.com reported.
Boston Public Schools has proposed a bell-to-bell ban on personal electronic devices that would keep them off and out of use for the whole school day, according to a district memo reported by GBH News, NBC Boston and Boston.com.
The ban would cover students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, NBC Boston and Boston.com reported. It would apply to cellphones, laptops, tablets and smartwatches as well as smart glasses, GBH and NBC Boston reported. Students could still use devices issued by their schools, GBH and NBC Boston reported.
The district wants the ban to start in fall 2027, at the start of the 2027-2028 school year. Boston.com said the September 2027 start date is meant to give schools time to plan. The proposal was presented to the School Committee on Wednesday, and the committee plans to vote on it in January, GBH and Boston.com reported.
Each school's leaders would decide how to store devices, such as in lockers or pouches, GBH and NBC Boston reported. The memo does not say whether students who break the rule would be punished, GBH reported.
"BPS aims to offer a distraction-free, safe and welcoming environment that encourages authentic face-to-face connections," the memo says, as quoted by GBH.
Alexandra Oliver-Dávila, executive director of the nonprofit Sociedad Latina and a former School Committee member, backs the ban, GBH and Boston.com reported. She said it would only work if it is enforced consistently across schools, Boston.com reported.
Research on school phone bans so far is mixed, GBH and NBC Boston reported. NBC Boston said a large study this year found mixed results on how well the bans work.
Brockton, Cambridge, Fall River and Newton already have similar rules, GBH and Boston.com reported. Gov. Maura Healey has backed a statewide ban, NBC Boston and Boston.com reported. Boston.com said that proposal has lost momentum on Beacon Hill.
What we know: Boston Public Schools has proposed keeping personal devices off and away for the whole school day in every grade, starting in fall 2027.
What we don't: Whether the School Committee will approve the plan in January, and how schools would enforce it.
Where outlets agree GBH News, NBC Boston and Boston.com report that Boston Public Schools has proposed a bell-to-bell ban on personal devices that would start in fall 2027 and needs School Committee approval.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.