January 14 was a big day for me and the Michigan House of Representatives. My legislation to get cellphones out of the classroom passed with 99 “Yes” votes. That’s a big deal! And I expect the bill will pass the state Senate and get signed by the governor soon (hopefully before the upcoming State of the State) because we worked closely together on the legislation.

The bill addresses a concern that 75%, or more, of teachers and parents agree upon: smartphones are a huge distraction for children.

House Bill 4141 prohibits the use of smartphones in all K-12 public schools during instruction time. Students will still be able to use phones during non-instruction time such as between classes and during lunch, so that they can coordinate after-school activities.) There’s also a medical exemption, and an exemption for emergencies.

My bill was the first piece of legislation lawmakers voted on this year. It’s proof that the House of Representatives can pass important legislation, with large partisan support, even during an election year. It took time – my first draft was in June 2023 – and a lot of listening to my colleagues, teachers, principals, and administrators. Collectively, we crafted legislative language that received broad support. This legislation impacts every public school classroom and every public school student across the state. It was great to start the year with 99 oars in the water all rowing in the same direction.

Of course, prohibiting smartphone use during instruction time in public schools is not the final answer for the mental health problems caused by social media exposure for our teens and tweens. That’s why I’m also working on legislation (House Bill 4388) to require social media platforms to verify the age of users.

To open a social media account, the user must agree to a Terms of Use Agreement. Well, in Michigan, minors cannot consent to a legally binding contract. Yet for some reason, we’ve allowed these powerful social media sites to accept contract consent from minors so they can turn their rapt attention into profits.

The social and psychological harms caused by social media exposure have been scientifically demonstrated. Multiple studies since 2019 claim direct causation between increased anxiety, depression, self-harm, and attempted / completed suicides from social media exposure. When these mental health problems hit our minor children, it is the parents that will be financially and emotionally responsible for picking up the pieces. The parents are given no authority on the front-end of the situation, yet are responsible for pickup up the pieces on the back-end. That’s a problem. All my bill does is require social media companies to verify the age of new and current account holders and reject the contract consent given by minors.

Today’s internet is the world’s most powerful source of entertainment, and in many ways, it’s addictive to young brains. Parents need help. Our children need help. Just as we prohibit alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and gambling for purchase by minors, our parents need the same kind of government support.

The science is in. Whether it’s prohibiting smartphones during instruction time or giving parents more control over how their children use social media, there’s plenty of room for common sense interventions. We’ve got to give kids their childhoods back.

State Rep. Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills represents Michigan House District 55, which includes the cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills, and part of Oakland Township. You can reach him by calling 517-373-1792 or by sending an email to marktisdel@house.mi.gov