A nationwide movement to either outright ban or prohibit the use of cellphones throughout the school day is the topic of a moderated debate set for Saturday in downtown Perkasie.
The event will be held at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church located at 20 Dill Ave.
An estimated 83.9% of young people aged 16-19 have cellphones, according to a University of California Los Angeles Health report.
The debate is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Bucks County and Braver Angels of Southeast Pennsylvania, a New York-based non-profit organization whose goal is to address “depolarizing” political rhetoric and views.
“We’re interested in bridging the political divide and getting constructive information on both sides of an issue,” said Bridget Mulcahy, communications director for the League of Women Voters in Doylestown, representing members throughout the county.
The debate will be moderated by Lee Rush, a member of both sponsoring organizations.
The National Education Association reports 90% of its members support a ban of cellphones and personal electronic devices during instructional hours. About 83% of NEA members support an outright ban on personal device use for the entire instructional day, the NEA website said.
The Perkasie event aims to open conversations about cellphone use during school time – including lunch and during class period changes.
Mulcahy said rather than a conventional “winners and losers” debate, the moderated format offers timed opportunities for attendees to voice their concerns and opinions and for information to be shared.
Julianne O’Neil, an organizer with Braver Angels said the cellphone event is a chance to talk about the subject and explore it.
“We’d love to get kids to attend, and parents and members in the community to share their opinions,” O’Neil said.
Most Bucks County public school districts already have cellphone use and electronic device accessibility policies in place for instructional time and during the school day.
“The approach used in our schools has been to limit the use of cellphones, based upon the grade level of the student, and especially during instructional time,” said Bridget O’Connell, Palisades School District superintendent in Kintnersville. Palisades covers Bridgeton, Durham, Nockamixon, Springfield and Tinicum townships and Riegelsville Borough.
O’Connell said recent public meeting discussions in the district have touched on the use of devices on school buses, and during lunch and study hall periods. Palisades has a cellphone policy in place.
She said the district works with students at all levels to learn how to manage and use their devices responsibly. Any updates or restrictions to the district’s current policies would include public meetings discussions and be directed by the school board, O’Connell explained.
Officials at Quakertown Community School District said student cellphone use is outlined in the district’s student handbook on page 21 and its cellphone guidelines. There have not been any reported serious or noteworthy cellphone issues to date, district officials said.
Quakertown serves Haycock, Milford and Richland townships; and Quakertown, Richlandtown and Trumbauersville boroughs.
In Quakertown cellphones may be used prior to the start of classroom instruction and then must be stowed in an “electronic device pouch” including when using the restroom or leaving a class while it is in process, the guidelines said.
Students who speak limited English may use their phones as instructional tools. Students with documented medical conditions may use their cellphones to assist or monitor them as appropriate and approved by the district, the guidelines said. Consequences for refusing to follow stated policies are also outlined in the district’s guidelines.
“We’re interested in bridging the political divide and getting constructive information on both sides of an issue.”
Pennridge School District officials referred questions to their student handbook and guidelines:
Cell phones are permitted in common areas (hallways, cafeteria, and library). This usage is a privilege, not a right, and can be revoked if it is abused. Cell phones may not be used to record images or voice recordings of faculty, staff, or other students for personal use or inclusion on any internet or other media sites. Recording others without their permission is strictly prohibited. This is a violation of an individual’s right to privacy, according to David Thomas, Pennridge director of communications and community relations.
Pennridge serves Dublin, Perkasie, Sellersville, and Silverdale boroughs: and Bedminster, East Rockhill, Hilltown and West Rockhill townships.
Thomas said the district would not “make a hasty decision regarding [cellphone use] before carefully weighing all the facts.”
He said rather than a total ban, it’s important to guide students to responsible cellphone and electronic device use and behavior so these tools are not disruptive – but support the learning environment.
Central Bucks School District’s policy prohibits the use of cellphones during the school day, the CBSD website said.
The third largest school district in Pennsylvania, Central Bucks serves Chalfont, Doylestown and New Britain boroughs; and Buckingham, Doylestown, Plumstead, Warrington, Warwick and some of New Britain townships.
However, when instructional purposes make it helpful for students to use their cellphones – on a case by case basis – teachers may allow their use during class time, the website said.
Overall Central Bucks guidelines “recommend” student electronic devices, including cellphones, be kept in lockers in “power off” position.
Parents and guardians are required to call the district or school building offices when they need to get in touch with their youngsters during the school day, the guidelines said.
Students who become ill or need to speak with a guidance counselor may make that request of teachers at any time during the day.
“I think there are many things we can fundamentally agree on, and we’re caught up on those things [with which] we disagree. How can we find common ground,” Mulcahy said.
If you go:
What: In person moderated debate: “Should student cell phones be banned all day during school?”
Where: St Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 20 Dill Ave. Perkasie
When: 10 a.m., Saturday, March 22, 2025.
All are welcome to attend. Register in advance here.
