Harrisburg Votes to Take Smartphones Out of Classrooms and Cafeterias; Impact on Bensalem Students Looming
The days of “scrolling through lunch” may soon be over for students across the Commonwealth. Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania Senate overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan bill that would require all public schools to implement a strict “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban.
If the bill clears the House and is signed into law, local districts—including Bensalem Township School District—will be mandated to adopt policies that prohibit students from using mobile devices for the entire duration of the school day. This goes a step further than many current rules, extending the ban beyond the classroom to include lunch periods, recess, and the minutes spent switching between classes.
The Details
Senate Bill 1014 passed with a nearly unanimous 46-1 vote. The legislation, co-sponsored by Bucks County’s own Senator Steve Santarsiero, aims to tackle what lawmakers call a “distraction epidemic.” Supporters of the bill point to staggering data showing that the average teen receives over 200 notifications a day, creating a constant digital pull that many argue is a root cause of declining grades and rising anxiety among youth.
While the state is setting the “bell-to-bell” standard, it is leaving the “how” up to local officials. This means the Bensalem School Board would have the flexibility to decide how to enforce the rules. Some districts across the state have already experimented with magnetic locking pouches—like Yondr pouches—while others may opt for “away for the day” lockers or classroom storage bins.
The bill does include common-sense exceptions. Students with documented medical needs (such as those using a phone to monitor glucose levels), those with specific Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and English-language learners using translation apps would still be permitted to use their devices. Teachers may also seek principal approval for rare, specific instructional uses.
Why It Matters to Bensalem
For families in Bensalem, this change could represent a major shift in the daily routine at schools like Bensalem High or Shafer Middle School. While most local classrooms already restrict phones during lessons, this new law would eliminate the “grey areas” of the school day.
The local impact includes:
- Social Habits: Students would be encouraged—or forced—to engage face-to-face during lunch and passing periods rather than being “glued to their screens,” a goal highlighted by Senator Santarsiero.
- Safety & Communication: A common concern for parents is how to reach their children during an emergency. The bill addresses this by requiring schools to provide a dedicated, reliable way for parents to contact the office to reach their students instantly.
- Local Control: The Bensalem Township School Board will have the final say on whether your student keeps their phone in a locked pouch in their backpack or leaves it in a locker, meaning residents should keep an eye on upcoming board meetings if the bill passes the House.
For a deeper look at how these bans are being discussed across the state, you can watch this PA School Cellphone Ban report.
This video provides a concise summary of the Senate’s vote and the specific goals lawmakers hope to achieve by removing digital distractions from the school day.
