California has officially joined the ranks of states implementing a ban on cellphones in schools. On Monday, September 23rd, the Governor of California signed a new bill requiring every school district, charter school, and county education office to develop policies by July 1, 2026 to restrict the use of smartphones by students during school hours.
After signing the AB3216 bill (Phone-Free School Act) proposed by California State Assemblyman Josh Hoover, with bipartisan support, Governor Newsom urged all school districts to take proactive measures.
In a statement, he said, “We know that excessive smartphone use can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, but we can prevent these problems. This new law will help students focus on academics, social development, and the world around them while at school, rather than on their screens.”
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has previously warned that social media increases the risk of children experiencing anxiety and depression.
As more states and school districts become aware of the negative impact of student cellphone addiction, starting last year, the Governor of Florida was the first to pass a ban, prohibiting students from using phones and accessing social media during class time. Individual school districts in Indiana, Maine, and Virginia have also followed suit.
Although banning the use of phones at school is becoming a trend, there are still some who oppose it. The main concerns of opponents revolve around fears that students may not be able to seek help in emergencies or that it could lead to parents losing contact with their children.
Addressing these concerns, the new California law requires school districts to ensure that the ban policies take into account the needs and desires of students, parents, and educators, and must allow students to use their phones in emergencies, when perceiving a threat, or under permissible circumstances.
Jessica M, an educator and parent in Los Angeles, told a reporter, “Children should have a carefree and happy childhood, they need to interact and chat with others, not get lost in a virtual world, so I support the cellphone ban. As long as the school district can notify me promptly in case of emergencies, or through any means inform me that my child is safe, then I have no issue.”
Some individuals and organizations oppose Governor Newsom’s statewide mandate for a cellphone ban, believing that it should be up to individual school districts to decide whether to prohibit students from using smartphones during school hours.
In fact, many school districts in California have already begun implementing cellphone ban policies. On June 18th, the School Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second largest school district in the U.S., voted to ban students from using phones during school hours starting in January next year.
LAUSD School Board member Nick Melvoin stated that helping students break free from smartphone addiction is an urgent matter. He hopes the ban will help students focus in class and increase interpersonal interactions.
Emory University Honorary English Professor Mark Bauerlein emphasized in a column, “Cellphones are not tools for learning, but anti-learning tools. They do not connect young people to one another in an inspiring, productive way. Instead, phone use fosters bullying and gossip.”
Research from the Pew Research Center shows that about 70% of high school teachers and one-third of middle school teachers say students are distracted by phones, a major issue in their classrooms.
As governments and school districts take action, the benefits of campus cellphone bans are beginning to show. Teachers in the Santa Barbara Unified School District in California have found that since implementing the ban for the 2023-2024 school year, students have been more engaged in class.
After implementing cellphone bans, students initially resisted and disliked the rules but gradually transitioned to acceptance and even gratitude, with some students thanking the ban for making it easier to concentrate.
“Children using cellphones more in their daily lives may lead to decreased test scores, anxiety, depression, and even suicide,” said California State Assemblyman Hoover, expressing gratitude to the state government for taking action to protect students from these harms.