Introduction | Summary | Research | News | Support
Introduction
There has been a steep decline in mental health in children since the early 2010s. Kids are more depressed, anxious, and lonely than ever before. Their academic performance is suffering. There are more instances of cyberbullying and other behavioral issues during school hours. Teachers, parents, and students are exhausted physically, emotionally, and mentally.
This decline in our children’s mental health, social skills, and academic performance directly correlates to the rise of smartphones and social media apps. Many parents and teachers alike see the devastating impact these devices are having on our children and are asking for help. About two thirds of Americans say all-day cellphone bans during school hours would improve students’ social skills, grades, and behavior in class.
Our students deserve the opportunity to learn without a constant distraction in their pockets, and our bipartisan legislation will give them that opportunity.
Summary
To address a root cause of the mental health and academic decline experienced by Pennsylvania students, we have introduced Senate Bill 1014 to require schools to adopt and implement a policy that prohibits the use of phones during the school day. Exceptions would be made for:
- Students with medical conditions,
- Students with individualized education plans that require the use of a personal communication device,
- English as a second language learners who use cellphones for translation purposes, and
- Very limited instances for teachers who want to use cellphones as instructional tools with approval by the school principal.
If enacted, Pennsylvania would join 27 states in restricting these devices including New York, Virginia, and Florida, 18 of which have bell-to-bell bans.
Research
Smartphone and social media use among teens is near universal and frequent.
Data shows teens receive an average of 237 notifications on their phone a day. We know phones are not only a distraction for the owner of the phone, but the entire class is disrupted by the constant ringing, buzzing, and checking of these devices. This not only results in learning loss for students, but it creates a frustrating environment for educators who try to maintain focus and order in the classroom.
Between 2010-2015, the percent of U.S. teens with smart phones rose from 23% to 73%, with a quarter admitting to being online “almost constantly”. Now, teens spend an average of nearly 8 hours on screens per day, the equivalent of a full-time job.
Smartphone and social media use contributes to poor mental health, physical health, and academic outcomes in teens.
- 45% of teens reported feeling overwhelmed by the drama on social media and 26% reported feeling worse about their own lives (Pew Research Center, 2018).
- Nearly half of U.S. teens aged 13-17 reported experiencing cyberbullying at least once (Pew Research, 2022).
- There has been a steep decline in mental health in children since the early 2010s:
- Rates of depression among teens increased around 150% (American Psychological Association, 2018)
- Suicide rate for kids ages 10-14 tripled between 2007 and 2021 (Centers for Disease Control, 2023).
- Suicide rate for girls ages 10-14 rose 131% from 2010 to 2019 (Centers for Disease Control, 2023).
Sleep patterns also changed during that time, with more and more teens reporting less sleep and studies showing that access to and use of mobile devices before bed were significantly associated with inadequate sleep quantity, poor sleep quality, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
In 2012, math and reading scores dropped for the first time in 25 years, beginning a downward trend that continues today.
In addition to the emotional, physical, and academic toll that excessive smartphone and social media use has on our children, behavioral issues have also increased in the form of cyberbullying and costly pranks.
The addictive qualities of smartphones and social media apps have an even worse impact on young children.
A new study published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities found that children who receive smartphones before the age of 13 were significantly more likely to experience serious mental health problems in early adulthood including aggression, emotional instability, and suicidal thoughts.
Yet the average age for a child to have a smartphone in Pennsylvania is reportedly 10.5, a number that seems to get younger every year.
Parents and teachers are worried and want change.
74% of U.S. adults say they would support banning middle and high school students from using cellphones during class, up from 68% last fall (Pew Research Center, 2025).
72% of US high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom (Pew Research Center, 2024).
90% of teachers support prohibiting the use of phones during instructional time (National Education Association poll from 2024).
75% of teachers support a bell-to-bell ban, which prohibits the use of cellphones from the first bell of the school day until the last bell of the school day (National Education Association poll from 2024).
Cellphone restrictions during school hours free kids from the constant distractions, and can even improve their social interactions, academic performance, and mental health.
Studies show cellphone restrictions in school have a positive impact on academic performance, and many students say restrictions have improved their mental health.
Anecdotally, schools across Pennsylvania that have already moved to enact restrictions on cellphones during school hours report that students are interacting more during free time and paying closer attention in class once the distraction of the cellphones are removed.
Learn more about the risks of childhood smartphone use from local advocacy group PA Unplugged.
News
Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Prohibit Student Cellphone Use in Pennsylvania Schools
October 10, 2025 – Senator Robinson Press Release
“Citing the steep decline in youth mental health and academic performance during the past decade, Sens. Devlin Robinson (R-37), Vince Hughes (D-7), and Steve Santarsiero (D-10) today announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation requiring Pennsylvania schools to adopt policies prohibiting student cellphone use during the school day. Each individual school district will be responsible for crafting a policy that works best for their community.
‘Children are struggling emotionally, socially, and academically. The data is clear: smartphones are playing a major role,’ Robinson said. ‘I’m proud to work with my colleagues across the aisle to ensure Pennsylvania students have the opportunity to learn and connect with one another without a constant distraction in their pocket…’”
Pittsburgh-area leaders and teachers discuss phones in schools at roundtable
August 26, 2025 – CBS Pittsburgh
“As kids go back to school, districts across the Pittsburgh region are grappling with how to deal with kids having cell phones at school. Congressman Chris Deluzio, who represents part of Allegheny County, held a roundtable discussion on the issue of phones in schools.
Teachers, a student, a parent advocate and state Sen. Devlin Robinson all shared their perspectives on the challenge…”
Pennsylvania congressman holds bipartisan roundtable on cellphone bans in schools
August 22, 2025 – WTAE
“As Pennsylvania lawmakers continue to consider legislation that would ban cellphones in school, U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio held a bipartisan roundtable Friday, hearing from teachers and parents about smartphone use in school.
‘We want to make sure that you’re here going to school to learn. That is the purpose of education, so we can put down the distractions for a couple of hours,’ state Sen. Devlin Robinson said.
‘I have a bill coming out that is a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones and like devices,’ Robinson said.
That bill would make Pennsylvania schools phone-free. The legislation says exceptions would be made for students with medical conditions or individualized education plans that require the use of a personal communication device…”
Pennsylvania Senate floats ban on phones for school students
August 1, 2025 – Altoona Mirror
“A bipartisan group of state senators are calling for a state ban on cellphone use by students in school.
In their cosponsor memo, the lawmakers point to research released earlier this month that found that when children get smartphones before age 13, they are more likely to experience serious mental health issues.
An industry survey found that the average age at which youth in Pennsylvania get a phone is younger than 11.
The move comes as lawmakers across the country have cracked down on student cellphone use over concerns about the way constant phone use interferes with students’ ability to focus on academics and impacts their mental health.
More than two-thirds of public school officials said they think cellphone use is negatively affecting students’ mental health and more than half said cellphone use is negatively impacting students’ academic performance, according to a recent survey by the National Center for Education Statistics…”
3 Pennsylvania lawmakers will introduce legislation to make all schools phone-free
July 30, 2025 – CBS Pittsburgh
“…Three state senators announced they will be introducing legislation to make all schools in Pennsylvania phone-free, and already a dozen are signed on as co-sponsors.
The bipartisan bill is sponsored by State Sen. Devlin Robinson, a Republican representing part of Allegheny County, along with two Democrats who represent Philadelphia and Bucks County.
They cite the growing body of research showing the harms of smartphone use in kids and teenagers, including mental health challenges and declining test scores. They also point to a poll of teachers showing 83% want phones banned the entire day, and many parents have reached out to Sen. Robinson about the issue…”
Lawmakers push to ban cell phones in Pennsylvania schools
July 30, 2025 – ABC27
“There is a new push at the State Capitol to ban cell phones in schools across Pennsylvania.
There is a bipartisan push in the State Senate to ban cell phones in Pennsylvania schools. Supporters believe that phones and social media bear some responsibility for distractions in the classroom, bullying, and depression…”
Pennsylvania lawmakers to propose cellphone ban in grade schools: ‘Constant distraction’
July 30, 2025 – Fox29
“Pennsylvania lawmakers are spearheading a bipartisan effort to become one of over two dozen states to ban or otherwise restrict cellphone use in schools.
‘Our students deserve the opportunity to learn without a constant distraction in their pockets,’ a memo circulated by state Sen. Devlin Robinson said.
What we know: Lawmakers cited multiple studies done on the negative impacts that cellphones have on children’s learning abilities and overall mental health.
‘Each year, more and more studies are showing the negative impact of smartphones on the development of our children,’ the memo read…”
Pennsylvania lawmakers propose bill to ban phones in schools
July 29, 2025 – WPXI
“Three Pennsylvania lawmakers have proposed a bill that would make schools across the state ‘phone-free.’
In a memo issued Monday, Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37), Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-7), and Sen. Steven Santarsiero (D-10) said they plan to introduce legislation to ban phones during the school day.
Several studies have looked at how smartphones can impact a child’s mental health. A new study recently published by the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities found that children who receive smartphones before the age of 13 were significantly more likely to experience serious mental health problems in early adulthood.”
Support
Sign the Petition!
If you support my effort to limit student cellphone use during school hours in Pennsylvania, please consider signing your name to my petition here. Together, we can get our kids back on track!
Join the Discussion
To effectively help our kids unplug from the distractions and other negative effects of smartphones during school hours, I will need the continued engagement of my constituents and local leaders. An ongoing dialogue between lawmakers and those they represent is absolutely critical to succeed.
As such, please fill out my Contact Form with any further questions, thoughts, or concerns you may have. I firmly believe that an open and productive conversation is necessary as we seek to build a stronger Pennsylvania, together.
WATCH: Congressman Chris Deluzio and PA State Senator Devlin Robinson host a community discussion on limiting access to cellphones in school (August 2025)
WATCH: Senator Steven Santarsiero hosts a community discussion on cellphone-free schools (September 2025)