Gavin Newson to California school districts - Ban in-class smart phone use
A few districts have enacted bans as allowed by state law.
This morning, Calif. Governor Gavin Newsom issued a letter urging school districts throughout the state to immediately ban in-class cell phone use.
In his letter (see below), Newsom said the pervasive use of smartphones is detrimental not only to learning, but the mental health of students. Newsom cited research backing his claim.
In part, the letter said:
Excessive smartphone use among youth is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 72% of high school and 33% of middle school teachers report cell phone distractions as a major problem. Common Sense Media found that 97% of students use their phones during the school day for a median of 43 minutes. Combined with the U.S. Surgeon General's warning about the risks of social media, it is urgent to provide reasonable guardrails for smartphone use in schools.
The Governor also cited legislation he signed into law in 2019. Assembly Bill 272 granted school districts the authority to regulate smartphone use.
In his announcement Newsom also said new new legislative efforts to further on-campus use of smartphones are underway.
Newsom urged school districts to use their authority to improve the learning environments by saying, "I urge every school district to act now to restrict smartphone use on campus as we begin the new academic year. The evidence is clear: reducing phone use in class leads to improved concentration, better academic outcomes, and enhanced social interactions."
As noted in the announcement, the Los Angeles Unified, Santa Barbara Unified, and Bullard High School in Fresno have enacted bans.
