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California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed new legislation restricting the use of smartphones in California schools.
The new bill, called the Phone-Free Schools Act, requires the governing body of a school district, a county office of education, or a charter school to establish a policy aimed at reducing or prohibiting the use of smartphones on campus.
The state hasn't set a threshold for screen time and has instead directed schools to set up and implement their own guidelines by June 1, 2026. These guidelines need to be updated every five years.
The legislation was passed after the state received evidence that unrestricted smartphone use in elementary and secondary schools "interferes with the educational mission of the schools, lowers pupil performance, particularly among low-achieving pupils, promotes cyberbullying, and contributes to an increase in teenage anxiety, depression, and suicide."
The restrictions can be relaxed under certain circumstances, the bill adds. Schools should allow students to possess smartphones in case of emergencies or perceived threats of danger, when directed by a licensed physician or surgeon for well-being, or for select educational programs that require smartphone use.
The bill further clarifies that schools are not to monitor, collect, or access information on students' online activities.
Most schools in California already have cellphone restrictions or are working towards developing them, notes The New York Times. Los Angeles previously banned smartphones and social media use in its schools, and plans to have the restrictions implemented by early next year. Apart from California, other states, including Louisiana, Indiana, and Florida, have passed similar bans in the past year and a half.
Notably, Governor Newsom signed the Phone-Free Schools Act just days after signing the Social Media Addiction Act, which warns social media companies against using information on children to feed more relatable and engaging content, thereby getting them addicted to their apps.