Lawmaker Proposes Ban on ‘Dangerous’ Cell Phones for Anyone Under 21

A lawmaker is equating cell phones with guns, drugs, and alcohol as he proposes a ban on the devices for anyone under the age of 21.

Vermont State Senator John Rodgers is proposing that anyone under the age of 21 found with a cell phone be punished with up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $1000 or both.

His reasoning? “In light of the dangerous and life-threatening consequences of cellphone use by young people, it is clear that persons under 21 years of age are not developmentally mature enough to safely possess them, just as the General Assembly has concluded that persons under 21 years of age are not mature enough to possess firearms, smoke cigarettes or consume alcohol,” the bill says, according to WPTZ, a news station in Vermont.

Well - that escalated quickly. Jail time for a cell phone?

No one would argue that texting and driving is very dangerous, and that younger teens are often unable to comprehend the impact of things they share on social media - but to ban cell phones in an effort to increase safety doesn't take into account situations where phones might make a teen more safe.

Should this type of ban be considered in New York? Let me know at beth@lite987.com