California schools must restrict cell phone use in classrooms

School districts, county school boards and charter schools in California must restrict or ban the use of smartphones in schools under a new state law after California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill on Monday.

The new law requires schools to develop and implement a plan to restrict or even ban cell phone use in schools by July 1, 2026, and to update it every five years.

“There is growing evidence that unrestricted use of smartphones by elementary and secondary school students during the school day undermines the educational mission of schools, lowers student achievement, particularly among low-achievers, encourages cyberbullying, and contributes to increased anxiety, depression, and suicide among teens,” the bill states.

“Research shows that students' use of cell phones during school hours can cause significant distractions that negatively impact their academic performance and mental health. In addition, the presence of cell phones and related technologies in classrooms can not only affect students' academic performance but also contribute to higher rates of school dishonesty and cyberbullying,” the bill states.

Newsom has been calling for restrictions on cell phone use by students in schools for months.

“We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression and other mental health problems – but we have the power to intervene. This new law will help students in school focus on their studies, their social development and the world in front of them, not their screens,” Newsom said in a statement.

In a letter to schools in August, he urged California lawmakers to restrict cellphone use. The Los Angeles Unified School District – the second-largest school district in the U.S. – and Santa Barbara Unified have already implemented restrictions on cellphone use in schools.

In the event of an emergency or imminent danger, students may continue to use their phones with permission from a teacher or school administrator, if a doctor determines that a student needs a smartphone for health or well-being reasons, or if it is required as part of an individualized education program.

Newsom signed a law in 2019 giving districts the authority to regulate the use of the devices during school hours.

Newsom had previously argued that reduced cell phone use in the classroom would lead to improved concentration, better academic outcomes and increased social interactions.

Public health leaders have recently stated that social media platforms are contributing to a mental health crisis among young people. Last June, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy called for social media platforms to be issued with a warning label because they can be linked to significant mental health harm among youth.

Virginia also announced it will restrict cell phone use in public K-12 schools, with restrictions in the state set to take effect in 2025.