Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law Monday that directs school districts across California to develop and implement policies that limit students’ use of cellphones during the school day.
He signed Assembly Bill 3216, dubbed the Phone-Free School Act, which now requires every school district, charter school, and county office of education to develop their own guidelines by July 1, 2026. The bill was co-authored by Assemblymember Josh Hoover of Folsom and introduced with Democratic Assemblymembers David Alvarez of Chula Vista, Josh Lowenthal of Long Beach, and Al Muratsuchi of Torrance.
Newsom previously voiced his opinion in August on the use of smartphones in schools and the potential negative mental impact they have on students.
“We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression and other mental health issues — but we have the power to take action,” Newsom said. “This new law will help students focus on their studies, social development and the world around them, not their screens, when they’re in school.”
The bill, which was passed by lawmakers in late August, is designed to address “growing evidence that unrestricted use of smartphones by elementary and middle school students during the school day disrupts the educational mission of schools, lowers student achievement, especially low-achieving students, promotes cyberbullying, and contributes to increases in anxiety, depression, and suicide among teens.”
Newsom says the policy will require help from stakeholders and educators to ensure that students’ unique needs are met. That means some could get an exception, depending on whether a licensed physician or surgeon determines that phone use is necessary for their well-being.
The restrictions also would not be in place in times of emergency, when there is a perceived threat of danger, or when students are given access by school personnel at specific times. Districts also would not be allowed to monitor, collect, or access information about a student’s online activity.
Lawmakers called for a Pew Research Center study that found more than 70 percent of high school students and a third of high school teachers report cell phone distraction as a major problem. Another report from Common Sense Media found that nearly 100 percent of students use their phones an average of 43 minutes per school day.
“Combined with the U.S. Surgeon General’s warning about the risks of social media, there is an urgent need to take reasonable steps to address smartphone use in schools,” a statement from Governor Newsom’s office said.
Los Angeles Unified School District recently has passed its own ban on phone use ahead of the new school year, citing data pointing to the negative impact phones have on students’ education and mental health. The details of their policy have not yet been released, but are expected to go into effect at the start of the 2025-26 school year, potentially paving the way for other districts across the state.
