CALIFORNIA, SEPT. 23– California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new state law Assembly Bill 3216, the Phone-Free School Act, to reduce cell phone usage in class as an effort against mental illness and inattentiveness to studies during the school day.
All school districts in California must, “adopt a policy limiting or prohibiting the use of smartphones by July 1, 2026.” Governor Newsom stated.
Teens have been sucked into the made-to-be-engaging device of a smartphone with the popularity of social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, which are linked to mental health in adolescents.
The smartphone was designed to trigger psychological weaknesses to keep people fixated on their devices, former Google design ethicist Tristan Harris stated.
Research shows that social media does not inherently affect individuals in a negative or positive way, but the use of social media can be detrimental to a person’s mental health depending on an individual’s own characteristics.
“What’s more, the social media algorithms are built to promote whatever you seem interested in,” chair of the Yale Child Study Centers Linda Mays said.
According to the Addiction Center, 6.3% of the billion smartphone users have an addiction which they define as the obsessive and compulsive use of a mobile phone despite the usage causing issues like anxiety, decreased attention span, and stress.
The term “phone addiction” is generally used by the public from the excessive use of a device, but the American Psychiatric Association does not recognize phone addiction as an official medical condition. Officials aren’t as concerned about the idea of phone addiction as they are of mental health.
“We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues – but we have the power to intervene.” Governor Newsom said, “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.”
Beverly developed Policy 5131.8: Mobile Communications Device last year on Aug. 14, 2023 with their slogan, “Smart Devices Off, Learning On!” The policy was unanimously approved by the BHUSD Board of Education on Aug. 9, 2023.
The policy has since remained in the 2024 school year with continuous efforts to control students’ use of phones in the classroom.
In a News Release, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond wanted to “commend” those school districts which started the year with cell phone policies.
“As parents and educators, we know that excessive smartphone use has a negative impact on the well-being of our young people,” Superintendent Thurmon said. “Our responsibility to protect young people from harm includes establishing clear limits on their access to smartphones at school and, in doing so, supporting our kids’ healthy development both academically and socially.”
In a Pew Research study, 68% of U.S. adults were found to support the phone ban and 98% of those supporters say it’s because there would be less distractions during class hours.
This California bill is expected to be beneficial to all students. Cell phones can be used in case of an emergency, a perceived threat, or if allowed by a parent or administrator.
First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom stated in a news release, “Reducing phone use in schools is essential for minimizing digital distractions and making space for stronger and more meaningful in-person connections. AB 3216 isn’t only about classroom instruction, it’s about protecting the mental health and social and emotional well-being of California’s kids.”
