California has joined a growing list of U.S. states and cities that are restricting smartphone usage in schools. Last month, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law, AB 272, which requires cell phones to be put away during class sessions in an effort to improve students’ mental health. This law aims to minimize smartphone use in classrooms, and school districts and charter schools have until July 1, 2026, to implement policies that limit or prohibit cell phone usage.
In June, the Los Angeles Unified School District board voted 5-2 in favor of banning smartphones in classrooms.The board also approved a resolution to develop a policy that would ban students from using cell phones and social media platforms within 120 days, as reported by Al Jazeera. However, this policy is set to be implemented in 2025.
California is not alone in this move. According to Al Jazeera, states like Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Florida have already imposed statewide restrictions on smartphone use in public schools. In June, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 250, which requires school districts to limit smartphone use in classrooms to reduce distractions. Local school administrators are tasked with creating their own bans under this bill. Indiana’s Senate Bill 185, signed into law by Governor Eric Holcomb in March and effective from July 1, prohibits students from using devices during school hours. Similarly, in February, the Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Committee passed Senate Bill 1314, which bans the use of smartphones on public school campuses. In Florida, new laws block students’ access to Wi-Fi and require social media literacy to be taught in schools. Additionally, some school districts in Michigan have already implemented policies banning smartphones in schools.
Reasons behind the ban
The push for restrictions on smartphone use in public schools, as seen in California and several other states, stems from growing concerns about their impact on students’ well-being and academic performance. Lawmakers and educators across the US are enacting these policies to address three key issues:
Distraction and reduced focus: According to a November 2023 Pew Research poll, nearly three-quarters of US teachers say smartphones divert students’ attention, reduce focus, and negatively impact academic performance due to frequent notifications and multitasking.
Anxiety and depression: Excessive social media use through smartphones contributes to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression. It also promotes addiction and spreads misinformation, further disrupting students’ learning experience.
Cyberbullying: Smartphones enable constant access to social media, leading to increased cases of cyberbullying. This impacts students’ emotional well-being, prompting schools to implement restrictions to create a safer and more focused environment.
Under what conditions can students use cellphones in schools?
Students will still be permitted to use smartphones in cases of emergencies or perceived threats, such as natural disasters, medical crises, or mass shootings. In these high-risk situations, immediate access to a smartphone can be crucial for contacting emergency services, notifying family members, or receiving real-time safety updates from authorities. Schools acknowledge the essential role smartphones play in crisis communication, where timely information can make the difference between safety and harm.
While new restrictions aim to reduce distractions during regular school hours, these exceptions ensure that students can swiftly access help and stay informed when facing critical situations. The balance between safety and minimizing distractions is central to these policies, as schools prioritize both student learning and well-being.
