California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging school districts to restrict how much students use their smartphones at school.
Newsom penned a letter to school leaders on Tuesday to use a law he signed in 2019, which gives districts the power to regulate smartphone usage.
The backstory: Assembly Bill 272 allows school boards to adopt policies that limit the use of smartphones by students.
- AB 272 does not require smartphone restrictions, and it bars school districts from restricting smartphones in a number of instances, including in emergencies and for medical reasons.
What he said: Newsom cited a recent Pew Research Center survey that found 72 percent of high school and 33 percent of middle school teachers report cell phone distractions as a major problem.
- He also cited a study from Common Sense Media, which found that 97 percent of students use their phones during the school day for a median of 43 minutes.
- Newsom advised that all school districts should take advantage of AB 272.
- “This legislation was a crucial step in our efforts to minimize distractions and foster a more conducive environment for our students to learn,” Newsom wrote. “It is imperative that school districts take full advantage of this law to address the growing concerns surrounding student well-being and academic performance.”
- Newsom continued, saying he urges every school district to act now to restrict smartphone use as the new academic year begins.
- “The evidence is clear: reducing phone use in class leads to improved concentration, better academic outcomes, and enhanced social interactions,” Newsom wrote. “Schools and districts, including Santa Barbara Unified and Bullard High in Fresno, have seen positive impacts of limiting smartphones on campus, with some reporting higher test scores, grades, and student engagement, and less bullying and damage to school facilities. I applaud these districts, and others like LA Unified, for their leadership.”
Zoom out: Newsom is not alone in his push to restrict smartphone use, which is a platform that picked up steam in recent months after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called on Congress to require social media platforms to issue tobacco-style warnings.
- Los Angeles Unified voted to to ban phones and social media use in June, utilizing AB 272
- Across the nation, South Carolina is testing out a temporary one-year rule to ban smartphones in schools, with Indiana and Louisiana implementing rules as well.
