A new Kansas law that took effect on July 1 will impact how students and teachers communicate with one another.
HB 2299 disallows all school employees from privately messaging students or direclty engaging with students on personal social media platforms. Teachers will also no longer be able to use social media for assignments.
The limit is also placed on social media communication for extracurricular activites.
Kansas students will no longer be able utilize cell phones or personal electronic devices during the school day.
“In our rapidly changing world, technology dominates our lives, and that’s why it’s essential that we reduce distractions in the classroom,” Democtractic Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement in March. “We must have one uniform standard across the state to tackle this issue and set our students up for success. By banning cell phone use during the school day, we’re taking a commonsense approach to address the impact smartphones and social media have on Kansas children’s academic performance, learning environments, and mental health.”
The bill requires Kansas public schools and accredited private schools to prohibit the use of personal electronic devices during the school day on school premises. These devices include, but are not limited to, cell phones, tablets, computers, watches, wireless headphones or earbuds, text messaging devices, and personal digital assistants. Students’ personal devices must be turned off and securely stored during the school day.
HB 2299 includes exceptions if a device is needed for the implementation of a student’s individualized education program or 504 plan, or if approved by a physician as a medical necessity.
