North Carolina Poised to Ban Cell Phones in Schools, Boost Internet Safety Measures

Raleigh, N.C. – A sweeping bill aimed at enhancing student internet safety adn minimizing classroom distractions is on the verge of becoming law in North Carolina. The “Protecting Students in a Digital Age” bill (House Bill 959) has passed both the House and Senate and now awaits Governor Josh Stein’s signature [[1]].

Key Provisions of the Bill:

Cell Phone Restriction: The bill prohibits students from having cell phones turned on during instructional time [[1]], [[2]], [[3]].
Local Control: Local school boards will be responsible for developing and implementing specific policies regarding cell phone use, including outlining consequences for violations [[3]].
Exceptions: The ban includes exceptions for:
Educational use by teachers.
Emergency situations.
Students with accommodations outlined in their IEP or 504 plans.
Managing a student’s health needs.
Internet Safety Policies: The bill reinforces existing state-level requirements for internet safety policies, mandating that local boards of education:
Limit access to age-appropriate materials.
Protect student security during electronic interaction.
Prevent unauthorized third-party access to student data.
Ban access to social media platforms, specifically TikTok.
* Employee Restrictions: School board employees will be prohibited from using TikTok for school-related activities.

Context & Implementation:

Several school districts within the Charlotte Metro area have already implemented similar cell phone restrictions [[1]]. The bill’s passage signals a statewide commitment to addressing concerns about distraction and online safety in schools.

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