By Dean Fioresi
Updated on: September 23, 2024 / 9:31 PM PDT / KCAL News
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed legislation that directs school districts across California to draft and implement policies that will limit students' use of cell phones during the school day.
Assembly Bill 3216, dubbed the Phone-Free School Act, requires every school district, charter school and county office of education to form their own set of guidelines by July 1, 2026. The bill was co-authored by Assembly member Josh Hoover of Folsom, who introduced the bill alongside Democratic Assembly members David Alvarez of Chula Vista, Josh Lowenthal of Long Beach and Al Muratsuchi of Torrance.
In August, Newsom previously voiced his opinion on the use of smartphones in schools and the potentially negative mental impact that they have on students.
"We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression and other mental health issues — but we have the power to intervene," Newsom said. "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."
The language of the bipartisan bill, which was passed by legislators in late August, notes the legislation was drafted to address the "growing evidence that unrestricted use of smartphones by pupils at elementary and secondary schools during the schoolday 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."
Assembly Bill 3216, dubbed the Phone-Free School Act, requires every school district, charter school and county office of education to form their own set of guidelines by July 1, 2026. The bill was co-authored by Assembly member Josh Hoover of Folsom, who introduced the bill alongside Democratic Assembly members David Alvarez of Chula Vista, Josh Lowenthal of Long Beach and Al Muratsuchi of Torrance.
In August, Newsom previously voiced his opinion on the use of smartphones in schools and the potentially negative mental impact that they have on students.
"We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression and other mental health issues — but we have the power to intervene," Newsom said. "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."
The language of the bipartisan bill, which was passed by legislators in late August, notes the legislation was drafted to address the "growing evidence that unrestricted use of smartphones by pupils at elementary and secondary schools during the schoolday 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."
Source: CBS News
