Phone-Free Schools: Is This the Right Time?
Governor Gavin Newsom signed controversial legislation on September 23, 2024, to limit smartphone use among teenagers in schools. One such measure, the Phone-Free Schools Act (AB 3216), aims to enhance academic performance and mental health by limiting smartphone use during school hours. Sponsored by a bipartisan group of Assemblymembers—Josh Hoover, Al Muratsuchi, Josh Lowenthal, and David Alvarez—AB 3216 mandates that all California K-12 school districts implement policies to restrict or ban smartphone use during the school day by July 1, 2026. This follows previous legislation (AB 272), signed in 2019, which already gave schools the authority to limit smartphone usage during school hours, and most recently, he signed SB 976 into law last week.
One major advantage of restricting phones in schools is improving academic focus. Gallup data reveals that American teens spend around 5 hours daily on social media alone. A Pew Research Center survey found that 72% of high school and 33% of middle school teachers consider cell phone distractions a significant issue. A 2016 study by Smale et al. showed that banning phones in classrooms led to a 6% increase in standardized test scores, with even greater gains among lower-achieving students.
Additionally, limiting smartphone use in schools has reportedly led to more peer interaction and a decline in cyberbullying, anxiety, and depression. The U.S. Surgeon General has labeled social media a public health crisis for teens, and Haidt, writing in The Atlantic, noted a 70% increase since 2010 in high school seniors feeling that "life often feels meaningless." This mental health crisis is especially pronounced among children under 14, correlating strongly with increased smartphone usage. However, schools like San Mateo High School, which became a cell phone-free environment in 2019, have reported positive changes. Principal Yvonne Shiu noted that “students are actually talking to one another,” reflecting a shift toward healthier social interactions.
The Phone-Free Schools Act has bipartisan support, reflecting widespread acknowledgment of the issue. The bill allows districts to tailor their policies to suit their unique community needs, providing flexibility while creating focused, distraction-free environments.
However, there are challenges to consider:
Enforcement: Implementing consistent policies across different schools and districts is difficult. San Mateo High School does use Yondr, a locking pouch which is opened at the end of the school day. Monitoring phone use, particularly with exceptions for emergencies or educational purposes, could strain staff and teachers.
Potential Pushback from Students and Parents: While some parents may support phone restrictions, others see smartphones as essential for safety, communication, and learning. A recent incident at Apalachee High School in Georgia, where students used their phones to reassure loved ones during a shooting, highlights these concerns. Some students rely on their phones to take photos of intricate math problems and solutions which help them to study at home. High school students may also view these policies as overly restrictive, especially since they rely on technology for both learning and social interaction, and many want to use their phones during breaks.
Tech Dependency in Education: Many educational platforms and apps are accessed via smartphones. Limiting phone use without providing consistent alternatives like tablets, laptops, or even traditional paper-based methods as described by Castilleja Middle School Dean Laura Zappas could hinder learning in tech-dependent environments.
In addition to this law, Governor Newsom also recently signed California’s Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act which requires parental consent for social media platforms to send notifications to minors between midnight and 6 am and between 8 am and 3 pm during weekdays from September to May. Superintendent of San Mateo County Schools Nancy Magee, who also serves on the CAYC Advisory Board, stated, “I would expect a continuation of safeguards to become the norm – more laws, regulations, and shifting business models from social media companies in the future years. I do think it will take a variety of approaches to address the challenges of over exposure to social media.”
AB 3216 represents a bold move toward improving academic focus and mental health, and early-adopting schools have reported promising results. However, its effectiveness will depend on how each district implements the policy and navigates the challenges of enforcement, technology use, and gaining buy-in from students and parents. While the bill addresses an important issue, a one-size-fits-all approach may need refinement to accommodate the diversity of school environments across California.
Image credit: Oak Park Talon