Vermont bill would ban cellphone use for those under 21

boston25news.com ^ | January 9, 2020 | Joy Johnston

[grundle]

MONTPELIER, Vt. — While not expected to have any chance of becoming law, a bill proposed in the Vermont state senate this week would ban anyone under the age of 21 from using or possessing a cellphone.

The controversial bill was introduced by Democratic state senator John Rodgers on the first day of Vermont’s 2020 legislative session. The bill would make cellphone possession or use a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of a year behind bars and a $1,000 fine, according to the Times Argus.

The bill cites traffic accident concerns and bullying among the reasons for the proposed ban. “The use of cell phones while driving is one of the leading killers of 15 teenagers in the United States,” according to the bill.

“Young people frequently use cell phones to bully and threaten other young people, activities that have been linked to many suicides,” the bill states.

“In light of the dangerous and life-threatening consequences of cell phone use by young people, it is clear that persons under 21 years of age are not developmentally mature enough to safely possess them,” the bill concludes, placing cellphone use in the same category as the right to possess firearms, smoke cigarettes, or consume alcohol.

“I have no delusions that it’s going to pass. I wouldn’t probably vote for it myself,” he said. Rodgers told the Times Argus. He said he introduced the bill to make a point.

Several states have placed a ban on people under 21 years old using their cellphone while driving, but none have introduced an all-encompassing age limit, WMAQ reported.

[GreyFriar]

How about changing the voting age to 21 at the same time.

[Right Wing Assault]

"Hello, Mrs. Rodgers? This is Officer Cheerio of the Montpelier police. We have arrested your 16-year-old daughter for illegal possession of a cell phone. She came across a women, my mother, having a heart attack and called emergency. When they arrived, your daughter admitted using a cell phone. So you need to come in to our downtown department so we can talk to you. We suggest you contact an attorney, too."

[central_va]

Somehow my generation managed to survive without being in contact with our parent 7/24. Amazing.

[mewzilla]

Have you been to VT lately? There’s a serious shortage of young’uns. This kinda cr@p doesn’t help.

[Sirius Lee]

Well then they’re not old enough to vote either.

[trebb]

Just so long as they can still buy super-size soft drinks, what do they have to bitch about? Maybe they’ll vote for Bloomberg because he never tried to take their phones away..

[I want the USA back]

They love to declare innocent people criminals. This sort of thing is an abuse of power, and the one who proposed it needs to be thrown out of office.

[BobL]

I would outlaw smart phones in high schools, and below. Cell phones (dumb phones) are necessary, since we no longer have phone booths, but that’s as much as I’ll allow.

...and yes, my kids didn’t get ‘smart phones’ until they finished high school, and then only when they could pay for it. Dumb phones started in middle school for them, though.

...and no, they did survive.

[Bitman]

He is not following the game plan. He first needs to limit high capacity batteries, move on to charging cord length limits, and finally, ban detachable earphones. Only then, after claiming he is not try to ban cell phones, should be introduce legislation to be them.

[laplata]

I understand your good points. I should have been more clear in the ages. I meant the 10-12-14 range.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Ha! Can you say unconstitutional? 😆

[HollyB]

Why do they waste time with these ‘I’m trying to make a point’ legislations that’s they know aren’t going anywhere.