Ohio lawmakers propose bill to ban TikTok and cell phones in schools

• Ohio bill bans TikTok in schools.
• Lawmakers want kids to focus on learning.
• Debate over TikTok’s impact.

A recently introduced bill before the Ohio House of Representatives could be unpopular with students.

It aims to restrict the use of electronic devices, such as mobile phones and social media platforms, during school hours.

Furthermore, this bill would be another blow to TikTok, coming days after President Biden signed a law forcing TikTok’s owner to sell the platform within a year.

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Proposed Ohio bill bans TikTok in schools

State Representative Tom Young, one of the main proponents of this bill, maintains that the school environment should be reserved for learning.

He doesn’t want kids on social media or texting while in the classroom.

«The classroom is for study. It’s not for texting, watching TikTok or Snapchat or ordering your lunch,» he told FOX 8.

If the bill passes, each school district would have the responsibility to establish its own policies regarding electronic devices, with exceptions for emergency cases and medical situations.

Another blow for TikTok

The main goal is to counteract the harmful influence of social media on students, addressing issues such as bullying and adverse effects on mental health.

Some school districts, such as Parma, have already implemented similar restrictions.

Additionally, the bill aims to regulate internet access and restrict content that is not age-appropriate for students.

It would also prohibit schools from using TikTok to promote school activities or student clubs.

Social media is linked to bullying

«There are issues of bullying, there are issues of mental health problems caused by the use of these cell phones,» Young told FOX 8.

While the bill is expected to encounter resistance from social media companies, Young has been engaging with them to address their concerns.

Currently, the bill is pending review by the appropriate committee.

This proposal has sparked intense debate within the educational community and among legislators, who are discussing the effectiveness and potential repercussions of these measures in the school environment.

What happens if Ohio bans TikTok in school?

Public hearings are expected to be held in the coming weeks to further discuss the details and possible modifications of this initiative.

The bill would also require schools to implement an internet safety policy.

This would be for students going online through school infrastructure.

Moreover, it would explicitly prohibit the use of TikTok and restrict students’ access to online content considered «age-appropriate.»