On September 24, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill requiring schools to limit or ban the use of cell phones, in order to minimize negative impacts on students.
According to Reuters, this is one of many efforts by states in the US to address growing concerns about the impact of smartphones on students. Statistics from Education Week show that 13 other states have passed similar regulations or recommended that teachers limit the use of phones in schools this year, following in the footsteps of Florida - a state that has issued a ban on cell phones in the classroom starting in 2023.
California, with nearly 5.9 million students, also made the move after Los Angeles imposed a ban on its 429,000 students in June.
At the same time, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned about the impact of social media on the mental health of teenagers, calling for the same warnings that are found on cigarette packs to be applied to social media platforms. Mr. Murthy cited research in the medical journal JAMA that found that teenagers who spend more than three hours a day on social media are at increased risk of mental illness. A Gallup poll also found that the average American teenager spends about 4.8 hours a day on social media.
The California bill passed overwhelmingly, with 76 votes in the House and 38 votes in the Senate. It requires schools to establish policies restricting or banning the use of cell phones on campus by July 2026. The policy will also be updated every five years to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.
In a statement after signing the law, Governor Newsom emphasized that: "We know that excessive smartphone use can lead to anxiety, depression and other mental health issues, but we can intervene. This new law will help students focus on learning and developing social skills, instead of being lost in their phone screens."
California and many other states have enacted measures to restrict cell phones in schools not only to improve school discipline but also to protect students’ mental health. These measures also aim to create a healthy learning environment where students can focus on their studies without being distracted by electronic devices.
