Vermont: Min Age for cellphones

[temporal1]

PROPOSED: by a Vermont Democrat

“Proposed Bill Would Ban Cellphone Use For Anyone Under 21”
https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2020/01/09 ... -under-21/

MONTPELIER, Vt. (CBS Local) —
A bill introduced in the Vermont Senate would make it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to use or possess a cellphone in the state.

The bill, S.212, would make possession or use of a cellphone a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of a year behind bars or a $1,000 fine or both.

The legislation links cellphone use by people under the age of 21 to a rise in driving fatalities, suicides, mass shootings and terrorism.

“The internet and social media, accessed primarily through cell phones, are used to radicalize and recruit terrorists, fascists and other extremists,” the bill reads.

Senator John Rodgers, a Democrat, said he introduced the bill on Tuesday to make a point.

“I have no delusions that it’s going to pass,” he told the Barre Montpelier Times Argus newspaper on Wednesday. “I wouldn’t probably vote for it myself.”

Rodgers said he’s a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms and the legislature “seems bent on taking away our Second Amendment rights.”

He said based on the information presented in his bill,
a cellphone is much more dangerous than a gun.

30 would be better.
min age, training, licenses. insurance.

[temporal1]

i suppose, in the above proposal,
parents/guardians would have to be held accountable in cases of legal minors.
i’m ok with that. parents rights AND responsibilities are of equal importance.

[RZehr]

I could support a law like this with a small adjustment. Make dumb phones legal down to 16 years old.

[temporal1]

Easy reading:
PDF: 2 Pages / Vermont S.212 / AS INTRODUCED / Senator John Rodgers (D)
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documen ... oduced.pdf

Jan 7, 2020 / Vermont General Assembly
https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2020/S.212

There are so many important points made in this proposal. Deaths.

i would much prefer PARENTS be responsible, without laws, taxes, and insurance companies.

That has not happened, but deaths are happening. Much more than deaths! - Deaths are the breaking point that involve public safety, the courts, the public treasury, and insurance companies.

The proposal lists several serious problems, vehicular crashes, bullying, suicides resulting, various serious crimes. Sexting is not listed, but should be. Public schools are now teaching/warning about sexting. From what i read, young people can commit serious crimes, sexting to minors/each other.
It’s child pornography! - even if you are a legal child.

Personally, i would think, simple phones without cameras or internet, could be allowed.
There is a basic, practical, useful function. As RZehr posted. ^^

Public discussion would be a great thing.

It’s not at all uncommon to remove, or put restrictions on privileges AFTER the fact.
Alcohol, cars, firearms, tobacco, are all everyday examples.

Technology has been unleashed. Now, how to use it and live with it.