69´«Ã½

Ed-Tech Policy

Cellphone Restrictions Are Coming to California 69´«Ã½

California joins at least 14 other states that have acted to limit cellphones during the school day
By Lauraine Langreo — September 23, 2024 2 min read
Young girl using a cellphone in class. On her desk is an open notebook and a pencil.
  • Save to favorites
  • Print
Email Copy URL

Millions of public school students will be restricted from using their phones during the school day, after California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to limit access to the devices.

The , which passed through the state legislature on Aug. 28 and was signed into law by Newsom, a Democrat, on Sept. 23, requires all public schools to develop and adopt a policy by July 1, 2026, to restrict students’ cellphone use during the school day. California—home to the nation’s largest population of K-12 students—is the fifth state to pass a law requiring districts to adopt policies that will limit cellphones in schools, according to Education Week’s tracker. It joins those states and 10 others that have also taken actions to limit students’ access to their devices in school.

Newsom, for months, has been signaling support for restrictions on smartphone use in schools, and even sent letters to districts urging them to implement limits. Three other states have also set a statewide policy for districts to follow, while five others either incentivize or recommend setting a policy.

See also

cellphone distraction policy bans in schools static
Laura Baker/Education Week via canva

A common motivation for schools to limit cellphone use has been to eliminate distractions in the classroom. 69´«Ã½ have a lot of academic ground to make up following the pandemic, but keeping students engaged in instruction and off their phones has been a battle for many teachers.

Another motivation has been to help students’ well-being by reducing a source of stress and anxiety. As concerns have grown about youth mental health challenges, much of the discussion has centered on teens’ constant use of their phones and social media.

The California law requires that school districts develop their policies with input from students, parents, and educators and update them every five years. The law includes exceptions: schools can’t prohibit students from using their phones for individualized instruction, medical necessity, and in emergencies. A teacher or administrator can also grant students permission to use their phones.

Some districts in California already have phone bans in place. For instance, Los Angeles Unified approved a ban in June.

Still, some schools report having difficulty enforcing the restrictions as students find ways around it. Some schools are also dealing with pushback from parents, many of whom express concerns about being able to reach their children during emergencies.

See also

Erin Clark shared screenshots of a text message conversation she had with her son, Ethan, just before 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 4, 2024.
Erin Clark shared screenshots of a text message conversation she had with her son, Ethan, just before 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 4, 2024.
Erin Clark via WSB TV

Events

School & District Management Webinar Crafting Outcomes-Based Contracts That Work for Everyone
Discover the power of outcomes-based contracts and how they can drive student achievement.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
Harnessing AI to Address Chronic Absenteeism in 69´«Ã½
Learn how AI can help your district improve student attendance and boost academic outcomes.
Content provided by 
School & District Management Webinar EdMarketer Quick Hit: What’s Trending among K-12 Leaders?
What issues are keeping K-12 leaders up at night? Join us for EdMarketer Quick Hit: What’s Trending among K-12 Leaders?

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.

Read Next

Ed-Tech Policy Here's When Most Americans Think Cellphones Should Be Banned
Banning cellphones during class is very popular with American adults.
5 min read
A student uses their cell phone after unlocking the pouch that secures it from use during the school day at Bayside Academy on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, in San Mateo, Calif. Gavin Newsom sent letters Tuesday, Aug. 13, to school districts, urging them to restrict students’ use of smartphones on campus.
A student uses a cellphone after unlocking the pouch that secures it from use during the school day at Bayside Academy in San Mateo, Calif., on Aug. 16, 2024.
Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP
Ed-Tech Policy From Our Research Center Why 69´«Ã½ Are Getting a Jump on Their Smartwatch Policies
A small but growing number of schools are adding smartwatches to their cellphone policies.
4 min read
Student is working in a school notebook with a pen. He has a smart watch on his wrist.
Forty percent of educators think smartwatches pose a behavioral or disciplinary challenge, new research shows.
galitskaya/iStock/Getty
Ed-Tech Policy Teachers Want Cellphones Out of Classrooms
Members of the nation's largest teachers' union say they want bans on cellphones during class time.
3 min read
A sign is shown over a phone holder in a classroom at Delta High School, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Delta, Utah. At the rural Utah school, there is a strict policy requiring students to check their phones at the door when entering every class. Each classroom has a cellphone storage unit that looks like an over-the-door shoe bag with three dozen smartphone-sized slots.
A sign in a classroom at Delta High School in February reinforces the policy of the rural Utah school that students check their phones at the door as they enter each classroom.
Rick Bowmer/AP
Ed-Tech Policy E-Rate Is in Legal Jeopardy. Here’s What 69´«Ã½ Stand to Lose
The FCC released a fact sheet about how the E-rate helps schools in response to a court ruling that threatens the program's funding.
1 min read
Photograph of a young girl reading, wearing headphones and working at her desk at home with laptop near by.
iStock/Getty Images Plus