In a letter to California schools, Gov. Gavin Newsom urged educators to immediately restrict cell phone use on campus as students return to the classroom.
“Excessive smartphone use among youth is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues,” Newsom said in the letter.
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He cited a Pew Research survey that found that 72% of high school and 33% of middle school teachers report cell phone distractions as a major problem. Newsom also cited a Common Sense Media survey that found that 97% of students use their phones during the school day for a median of 43 minutes.
Newsom previously approved legislation in 2019 authorizing school districts to limit or prohibit students’ use of cell phones at school. In July, he said he plans to build on that law — AB 272 — to further restrict students’ cell phone use but did not expand on how he plans to do so.
In his Tuesday letter, Newsom pushed school leaders to use AB 272 to restrict students’ smartphone use on campus.
“As I work with the Legislature to further limit student smartphone use on campus, there is no reason for schools to wait,” he said. “The evidence is clear: reducing phone use in class leads to improved concentration, better academic outcomes and enhanced social interactions.”
Newsom’s letter applauded California schools and districts — including Santa Barbara Unified, Bullard High in Fresno and Los Angeles Unified, for already implementing smartphone restrictions on school grounds. Los Angeles Unified voted in July to ban students’ use of phones beginning in 2025. San Mateo High School became a phone-free campus in 2019.
But many Bay Area schools remain split on Newsom’s proposal to expand existing legislation restricting smartphone use on school grounds.
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District said cellphones are a part of culture and necessary for many families. The district said last month that it’s focused on educating students on how to use smartphones respectfully and responsibly.
And Palo Alto Unified School District’s superintendent, Don Austin, pointed out in July it doesn’t make sense for schools to restrict or ban phones in districts that provide students with computers and WiFi access.
According to Politico, Newsom’s eldest child, Montana, is expected to start her freshman year at The Branson School in the fall, a private academy in Ross, where the Newsom family owns a home. Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, also attended the academy.
According to the school’s website, the academy values technology as an important asset for students’ education. The school has a “bring your own Apple device” program where students can bring their personal devices to use in the classroom — such policies typically involve use of laptop computers in class.
The California School Boards Association said last month that while it encourages school districts to consider the potential dangers posed by phone and social media use on campus, district leaders should be in charge of deciding whether to implement restrictions.
“Given the substantial demographic, topographic and ideological differences between California’s 940 school districts and 58 county offices of education, rather than ceding the matter to legislators in Sacramento, we should address this issue at a local level,” Troy Flint, the chief communications officer for the association said in July.
In his letter Tuesday, Newsom said reducing phone use in class leads to improved concentration and better academic outcomes and social interactions.
“Every classroom should be a place of focus, learning and growth,” he said. “Working together, educators, administrators, and parents can create an environment where students are fully engaged in their education, free from the distractions on the phones and pressures of social media.”
