As of September 23, 2024 Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new legislation to limit the number of smartphone use during school hours for California. The policy is for schools to limit or prohibit students from phone use during school, and it will be enacted on July 1st, 2026.
Assembly Bill 3216 is the Phone-Free School Act, which specifically requires every school in the district, charter schools, and county offices of education to adopt any policy that either limits or prohibits students from using their smartphones during school hours. Governor Newsom wants to lower the attention phones get from students during school hours.
The authors of the Assembly Bill are Josh Hoover, David Alvarez, Josh Lowethal, and Al Muratsuchi, and they want to help support the mental health, social well being, and academic success of California’s students. The reason why they think less phone use during school hours will help students is because in a recent Pew Research Center survey it says, 72% of high school teachers and 33% of middle school teachers report cell phone distractions as a major problem. They see an opportunity to help benefit students by prohibiting or limiting phones because excessive phone use is linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
The new bill will allow students to be able to use their phones during school hours in cases of emergency, or in response to a perceived threat of danger. Educators, staff, and parents have to allow students to use their phones in these types of situations.
The Modesto City School Board has already updated its student code of conduct to include the policy banning phone use throughout the school day. This policy will start next year, students can not use their phones from the start of the day to the end, including lunch and passing periods. Students will be allowed to have their phones turned off in their backpacks.
Other places, including Fresno Unified and Los Angeles Unified have already confirmed their policies for students. Students in Fresno and Los Angeles have to have their phones put away and off during the whole school day.
I asked Viviana Ramirez, a Freshman at Pitman High School, What are her thoughts are on the phone bill and if she thinks prohibiting or taking away phones during school will benefit students? Will be obliged to follow this rule? Ramirez said, “I don’t agree with it because phones are important in a way to be able to communicate with a parent; you should be able to contact them without having to go all the way to the office. I think it’s good in a way that students won’t be on their phones all the time and not paying attention to their work. I think it will benefit students getting stuff done, but I do think it might cause more students sneaking around with their phones just because they can’t have them out. I don’t think students will be obliged to this rule, but I think some will. I don’t think they will really pay attention to the rules.”
Fayiz Sulieman is the Dean of students at Pitman High School. I asked him what his thoughts are with the phone bill being passed, he responded saying, “I think that this assembly bill being passed is probably a net positive for schools overall. While there are situations in which phones can help students with social-emotional concerns, phones have become a major distraction academically and socially. Teachers and administrators have seen increases in off-task behavior in classrooms. I have seen instances of cyberbullying and negative social media interactions that occur during school hours. Lastly, there is reduced peer-to-peer interaction due to constant phone access. Students are losing opportunities to gain necessary social and academic skills due to phone use, and this bill can improve focus and behavior. As the Dean, the key for me will be consistent implementation by Pitman administration and staff, as well as clear and defined expectations for students.”
I asked Mr. Sulieman if he believes that the phone bill being passed will help students academically and socially, he responded, “Overall, yes, I believe it likely will benefit students academically and socially. I answered some of this in my previous response, but limiting phone use can improve focus and time on task academically. It will also help socially as it encourages more face-to-face interaction and reduces distractions.”
Next, I asked Mr. Sulieman what rules he thinks are going to be implemented for next year, “To be completely honest, I’m not sure what the rules will be for next year for all Turlock schools, including Pitman. Turlock Unified School District is working with staff and the community to implement a policy that we believe is best for all Turlock students. I have not been informed on what that will be, but we should have an update soon. In terms of my input, I personally believe that students should be able to access their phones only before school, after school, and during lunch for the next school year. However, if the district decides that it is best to ban phones during lunch as well, I’m willing to move forward with that.”
On July 1st, 2026, schools will begin implementing rules to limit or prohibit students from using their smartphones during school hours in California. All students have to listen to these rules and every district in California has to set rules for this new law. The bill is supposed to lower distractions in class and help benefit students’ mental health.