California Passed Law to Limit Phone Use in Schools

01A new state law will soon require school districts in California to create new rules restricting student smartphone use.

02California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law recently.

03The legislation makes California the latest state to try to reduce student phone access.

04Florida, Louisiana, Indiana, and several other states have also passed laws aimed at restricting student phone use at school.

05The legislation is aimed at reducing distractions in the classroom.

06It is also meant to address the mental health effects that social media can have on children.

07Newsom said in a statement, But some critics of such policies worry the rules will make it harder for students to seek help if there is an emergency.

08Critics also argue that decisions on phone bans should be made by school districts and not state governments.

09The law requires districts to pass rules by July 1, 2026.

10The rules should limit or ban students from using smartphones on school grounds or while students are under the supervision of school employees.

11The new law comes after Newsom signed an earlier law in 2019 permitting school districts to restrict student phone access.

12In June, Newsom announced plans to seek more legislation.

13Newsom announced the law in the U.S.

14His announcement came after the U.S.

15Surgeon General called on the United States Congress to require written warnings on social media platforms describing their effects on young people.

16Newsom sent letters to school districts in August urging them to limit student device use in school.

17Newsom announced the law in the U.S.

18Newsom announced the law in the U.S.

19Newsom announced the law in the U.S.

20The 2019 law permitting districts to restrict student phone access makes exceptions for emergencies.

21The new law does not change that.

22Some supporters of school phone restrictions say it may be safer to have phones off in an active shooter situation.

23Shakinya Edison is assistant superintendent with the Santa Barbara Unified School District.

24The district put in place a ban on student phone use in class during the 2023-2024 school year.

25She said teachers have noted that their students are paying closer attention in class since the start of the ban.

26Tarek McFall is principal of Sutter Middle School in Folsom.

27He said that before his school's cell phone ban, students recorded fights, filmed TikTok videos, and spent lunchtime looking at their phones.

28The ban has totally changed the culture of the school, he said.

29Now, students spend more time talking to one another.

30To have them put away, to have them power off, it has been a great thing, McFall said.

31I'm Ashley Thompson.

32I'm Ashley Thompson.

33I'm Ashley Thompson.

34I'm Ashley Thompson.