Connecticut lawmakers want to reduce kids’ screentime in 2026, arguing that it protects children.

Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed banning cell phones from “bell to bell” in Connecticut classrooms.

But not all lawmakers are onboard with the idea, including a Republican lawmaker who’s accusing members of her legislative chamber of trying to “co-parent” Connecticut’s children.

Today on The Wheelhouse, we explore “Phone Free CT” and what it means for children.

GUESTS:
Rep. Jennifer Leeper, CT House of Representatives, D-Fairfield, Southport
Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, CT House of Representatives, R-Southington, Wolcott
Gail Jordan, president, Bloomfield Teachers Union
John Murphy, professor of digital media business strategies, University of Connecticut 
Lisa Hagen, federal policy reporter, Connecticut Public and CT Mirror 

Connecticut lawmakers want to reduce kids&rsquo; screentime in 2026, arguing that it&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/some-educators-parents-support-push-to-ban-cellphones-in-connecticut-classrooms/">protects</a>&nbsp;children.
Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed banning cell phones from &ldquo;bell to bell&rdquo; in Connecticut classrooms.
But not all lawmakers are onboard with the idea, including a Republican lawmaker who&rsquo;s accusing members of her legislative chamber of trying to &ldquo;<a href="https://ctmirror.org/2025/05/14/ct-social-media-bill-kids-online-safety/">co-parent</a>&rdquo; Connecticut&rsquo;s children.
Today on The Wheelhouse, we explore &ldquo;Phone Free CT&rdquo; and what it means for children.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.housedems.ct.gov/Leeper">Rep. Jennifer Leeper</a>,&nbsp;CT House of Representatives, D-Fairfield, Southport</li>
<li><a href="https://www.cthousegop.com/mastrofrancesco">Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco</a>, CT House of Representatives, R-Southington, Wolcott</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Bloomfield-Education-Association/61557591103541/">Gail Jordan,</a>&nbsp;president, Bloomfield Teachers Union</li>
<li><a href="https://dmd.uconn.edu/person/john-murphy/">John Murphy</a>, professor of digital media business strategies, University of Connecticut&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/lisa-hagen-1">Lisa Hagen</a>, federal policy reporter, Connecticut Public and CT Mirror&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.