Cell phone ban passed by Los Angeles school board

The Los Angeles school board voted Tuesday to ban cellphones in classrooms, a trend that has been spreading across several U.S. districts.

The measure, approved 5-2, makes the school district the largest yet to ban cellphones, with the board pointing to studies that show they distract students, have negative effects on mental health and stifle personal connections.

“Kids no longer have the opportunity to just be kids,” said board member Nick Melvoin, who introduced the measure. “I hope this resolution helps students not only focus in class, but also gives them the opportunity to interact and engage more with each other – and just be kids.”

More details about the ban, which will come into effect in January, will be solidified at future meetings.

The two school board members who voted against the resolution did so because of concerns about the entirety of the ban and wanting distinctions between in-school and non-instructional bans. according to the Los Angeles Times.

Opponents of bans are typically concerned that students will not have access to contact their parents in an emergency.

The trend of banning cell phones has become increasingly popular in local districts, with some schools implementing cell phone stations where students have to turn in their cell phones at the beginning of the day and can only receive them at the end. Even some states, like South Carolina, are considering banning cell phones in all public schools in the state.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story