FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 10, 2025
Contact:
Ashwin Verghese, Communications Director, [email protected], 717-676-8584
Maria Grande, Sociedad Latina’s Development Director, [email protected]
Cristina Jiménez, Sociedad Latina’s Social Media & Marketing Associate, [email protected]
MEDIA ADVISORY
Advocates Applaud Boston City Council Resolution Supporting Phone-Free Schools
With statements from Councilors Santana and Weber, who offered the resolution
Two Boston-based advocacy groups are commending the Boston City Council for a resolution adopted today that declares support for Boston to adopt a city-wide “bell-to-bell” policy prohibiting phones in schools.
The groups — the national nonprofit Fairplay and community-based youth development organization Sociedad Latina — were both represented on a panel of experts at a City Council hearing last month, where they spoke of the urgent need to prohibit phones in Boston schools to remove the distractions of screens and social media, and to return engagement to classrooms, hallways, and lunchrooms.
Today’s resolution, offered by Councilors Henry Santana and Benjamin Weber, states that well-crafted phone rules “can foster a greater sense of connection and belonging for students, support student mental health and social-emotional growth, and reduce distractions to learning and education.” It was adopted by all members present at the City Council meeting.
The resolution comes at an important time: In July the Massachusetts Senate approved a bill that would bring bell-to-bell phone rules to public schools across the Commonwealth. That issue now moves on to the House.
Councilor Santana said after the vote: “Boston has an opportunity to create classrooms where students can focus, connect, and thrive. By supporting bell-to-bell policies, we’re reducing distractions, strengthening mental health, and making sure our schools remain places of learning and belonging.”
Councilor Weber said after the vote: “Reading and math scores are the lowest they have been in decades and we know that the use of cellphones and social media in schools impacts students’ performance and mental health. I hope Boston can join the growing number of states and school districts who have sought to help their students by implementing well-thought out bell-to-bell cellphone bans in our schools.”
David Monahan, campaign director at Fairplay, said: “It’s urgent that we remove phones from schools to make classrooms engaging and lively again, enhance students’ education, and promote their well-being. We hope the Massachusetts House will approve the strong rules that sailed through the Senate. Today the Boston city councilors spoke loudly enough to be heard up at the State House — it’s time to get phones out of schools.”
Alexandra Oliver-Davila, executive director of Sociedad Latina, said: “Sociedad Latina commends the Boston City Council for their leadership in putting forth a resolution calling for a distraction-free school environment for the Boston Public Schools. We urge the district to implement a bell-to-bell policy and join the many districts across the country that recognize the innumerable mental health benefits for students of device-free schools. With this policy we are returning presence, connection, creativity, focus and so much more to students. This is one step towards a healthier future for our young people!”
Fairplay has partnered with the Phone-Free Schools Movement on a campaign to get phones out of schools. Download our free toolkits for school administrators and community members who are looking to make their schools phone-free.
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About Fairplay
Fairplay is the leading nonprofit committed to helping children thrive in an increasingly commercialized, screen-obsessed culture, and the only organization dedicated to ending marketing to children. Fairplay works to enhance children’s well-being by eliminating the exploitative and harmful business practices of marketers and Big Tech. Learn more at https://fairplayforkids.org
About Sociedad Latina
Sociedad Latina works in partnership with Latine youth and families to create the next generation of Latine leaders who are confident, competent, self-sustaining, and proud of their cultural heritage. Understanding that young people respond best when they feel they have autonomy and agency, our organization-wide initiative, “Teens & Technology: Thriving In A Digital World,” focuses on providing youth with information on how to use technology wisely and protect their digital well-being.