The Los Angeles Post
California & Local U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: February 17, 2025
Today: February 17, 2025

California passes law to ban or restrict smartphones in school

First 2024 presidential debate in Atlanta
September 23, 2024
Daniel Trotta - Reuters

By Daniel Trotta

(Reuters) - California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law on Monday a bill that requires schools to limit or ban the use of smartphones, amid a growing consensus that excess usage can increase the risk of mental illness and impair learning.

Thirteen other states this year have banned or restricted cellphones in school or recommended local educators do so, after Florida led the way by banning phones in class in 2023, according to Education Week.

California, with nearly 5.9 million public school students, has followed the lead of its own Los Angeles County, whose school board banned smartphones for its 429,000 students in June.

California passes law to ban or restrict smartphones in school
School buses seen in California, U.S., August 30, 2021

That same month U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for a warning label on social media platforms, akin to those on cigarette packages, likening the problem to a mental health emergency.

Murthy cited a study in the medical journal JAMA showing adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media may be at heightened risk of mental illness, while referring to a Gallup poll showing the average teen spends 4.8 hours per day on social media.

California's bill, which passed 76-0 in the state assembly and 38-1 in the senate, requires school boards or other governing bodies to develop a policy to limit or prohibit student use of smartphones on campus by July 1, 2026, and update the policy every five years.

"We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues - but we have the power to intervene. 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," Newsom said in a statement.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

Related Articles

Democratic lawmakers to introduce bill aimed at halting elimination of USAID USWNT star Crystal Dunn signed for Paris Saint-Germain last week. Now, she’s learning French from her two-year-old What do we know about the Swedish school attacker? US Democrats fight back against Musk access to sensitive records
Share This

Popular

Education|Environment|Political|US

After landing his dream job as a park ranger, he’s ‘heartbroken’ to be let go in federal cuts

After landing his dream job as a park ranger, he’s ‘heartbroken’ to be let go in federal cuts
Education|Political|US

Trump administration warns of funding cuts to universities over DEI

Trump administration warns of funding cuts to universities over DEI
Education|Political|US

Protesters want return of Bloomfield schools superintendent

Protesters want return of Bloomfield schools superintendent
Education|Europe|Health|Political|US|World

Disconnected helplines, undiagnosed HIV cases and unfinished classrooms: Ukraine counts the costs of USAID suspension

Disconnected helplines, undiagnosed HIV cases and unfinished classrooms: Ukraine counts the costs of USAID suspension

Technology

Business|Economy|Europe|Technology

Airbus to delay A350 freighter amid supply problems, sources say

Airbus to delay A350 freighter amid supply problems, sources say
Business|Political|Technology|US

Boeing's Air Force One program could be delayed until 2029, or later, senior official says

Boeing's Air Force One program could be delayed until 2029, or later, senior official says
Americas|Political|Technology|World

Mexico threatens to sue Google over name change of Gulf of Mexico on US maps

Mexico threatens to sue Google over name change of Gulf of Mexico on US maps
Business|Europe|Technology

Airbus to delay new freighter as A350 problems linger, sources say

Airbus to delay new freighter as A350 problems linger, sources say

Education

Business|Economy|Finance|Political|US

Emboldened crypto industry seeks to cement political influence and mainstream acceptance

Emboldened crypto industry seeks to cement political influence and mainstream acceptance
Celebrity|Entertainment|Health|Lifestyle

Lily Allen reveals she visited a treatment center amid reports of split from David Harbour

Lily Allen reveals she visited a treatment center amid reports of split from David Harbour
Political|US

'We want restrooms to be safe': LGBTQ advocate reacts to passage of 'What is a Woman Act'

'We want restrooms to be safe': LGBTQ advocate reacts to passage of 'What is a Woman Act'
Celebrity|Entertainment

Naya Rivera’s ex Ryan Dorsey shares update on their son

Naya Rivera’s ex Ryan Dorsey shares update on their son