Ready to take action? Here’s what you can do right now.

Sample Call/Email

“Hi, my name is ______, and I live in _____. I’m [calling/emailing] to ask [Senator/Representative ___] to support [SENATE BILL 1014 OR HOUSE BILL 1814] to make Pennsylvania schools phone-free from bell-to-bell.

I’m a [parent/teacher/community member], and….

[Possible talking points to bring up — feel free to use some of the points below for inspiration, but remember to make it personal. Personal stories are always more effective.]

1. Removing phones increases cognitive performance. Research shows that mere presence of a phone reduces cognitive capacity and focus. It takes the brain over 23 minutes to refocus after each distraction.

2. Phones are a major classroom distraction. 72% of high school teachers say phones are a major distraction in class. Students receive an average of 237 notifications per day, many during school hours. In schools without restrictions, the average student spends 1.5 hours on their phone during the school day.

3. Teachers want this. Polls from the National Education Association show over 80% of educators favor phone-free school days. When phones are off and away, teachers regain valuable instructional time and report higher morale.

4. Mental health improves when kids disconnect. Teens who spend 3+ hours per day on social media face double the risk of depression and anxiety. Phone-free schools give kids seven hours a day free from social media pressure and constant comparison.

5. Social skills and peer connection rebound. Schools that go phone-free report more engaged, lively hallways and lunchrooms. Kids talk, laugh, and build friendships instead of scrolling.

6. Bell-to-bell is the gold standard in emergency situations. Security experts agree that phones make students less safe in emergencies by:

   1. Distracting them from following safety instructions

   2. Lighting up and revealing hiding spots

   3. Flooding communication channels and confusing emergency responders

7. Independence and resilience grow. When students aren’t constantly messaging parents, they learn to navigate small challenges independently, which builds confidence and problem-solving skills that carry into adulthood.

8. The “secondhand screen” effect is real. Phone use in school environments affects everyone—not just the kids with devices. Like secondhand smoke, distraction and drama spill over.

9. Cyberbullying and conflicts decrease. Schools that have bell-to-bell phone policies have seen drops in bullying, fights, and privacy violations.

[Representative/Senator], please vote YES on this bill. PA students and teachers deserve distraction and danger free schools.

Thank you for your time and for your work on behalf of Pennsylvania families.”