If something happened to your child during the school day — a lockdown, a medical emergency, or even just a panic attack — how would they reach you? Under a new bill passed by the Massachusetts Senate, they wouldn’t be able to.

The proposed law would ban students from using personal electronic devices — including cell phones, smartwatches, and tablets — from the first bell to the last in every public school statewide. That means more than 300 school districts would be forced to eliminate in-school access, even for students who use phones responsibly or need them for safety, medical reasons, or emergency contact.

Supporters say it will reduce distractions. But what it really does is cut kids off — from their parents, from trusted support systems, and from tools that help them self-regulate in a stressful school environment. Some students rely on their phones to manage anxiety, track blood sugar, or stay connected with caregivers. This ban would make all of that harder.

Lawmakers claim there will be a system in place for students to reach parents if needed. But when emergencies happen, no student wants to wait in line at the front office while time ticks away. Every second matters. We don’t need a statewide ban that punishes all students for the misuse of a few. Local districts already have phone policies. Let them decide what works — not the state.

We’re calling on the Massachusetts House to reject the Senate’s “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban and protect every student’s right to stay safely connected. Parents deserve peace of mind, and students deserve tools that support their learning, not one-size-fits-all restrictions that put them at risk.

Add your name if you believe no law should block a child from reaching their parent when it matters most.