California mandates smartphone restrictions in schools to boost focus

California school districts will now be required to create rules limiting student smartphone use under a new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday.
This legislation aims to curb distractions in classrooms and address the negative impact of social media on students' mental health. Several states, including Florida and Indiana, have already enacted similar laws, reported the news agency AP.
Governor Newsom highlighted the importance of the law, stating, “This new law will help students focus on academics, social development, and the world in front of them, not their screens when they’re in school.”
However, the law has drawn criticism.Some argue that enforcing the policy should not fall on teachers and that it could hinder students in emergencies. Troy Flint from the California School Boards Association expressed concern over the mandate, supporting districts that have independently restricted phone use after assessing community needs.
The law mandates that by July 1, 2026, all districts must implement policies to limit or ban student smartphone use, updating these rules every five years. This follows a 2019 law that authorised districts to restrict student phone access. Recent pushes for such restrictions gained momentum after the US surgeon general urged Congress to warn the public about social media’s harmful effects on children.
Some school districts, like Los Angeles Unified, have already voted to ban student phone use during the school day, effective from January 2024. Assemblymember Josh Hoover, who introduced the bill, emphasised that although students may struggle with phone restrictions, these policies help them focus and engage more socially.
While some parents have expressed concerns about communication during emergencies as they may not be able to contact their children during such situations. However, the law allows exceptions for such situations. Proponents argue that silencing phones during emergencies, like active shooter incidents, may prevent phones from revealing students' locations.
Schools implementing phone bans, such as Santa Barbara Unified, report improved student engagement. At Folsom’s Sutter Middle School, principal Tarik McFall noted that banning phones had transformed the school’s culture, encouraging more student interaction.
Despite this, challenges remain. Teachers like Mara Harvey from Discovery High School in Sacramento point out that smartphones often serve as backup tools for students who forget their Chromebooks, which are essential for accessing online learning platforms.
As California schools prepare to enforce these new rules, balancing technology’s role in education and minimising distractions will remain a focal point.