In a letter to California school districts on Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom called for new restrictions on the use of cell phones in the classroom, citing the risks that cell phone use in the classroom poses to mental health, academic and social issues.

Cell phone bans in California schools have been on the rise in recent years. Spurred by the passage of AB 272 in 2019, which gave school districts the authority to regulate smartphone use during school hours, cell phone restrictions began to take hold in more and more school districts. In 2022, the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) became the first large district in the state to enact a complete ban. A number of other schools also implemented independent bans not affiliated with school districts, including many private schools and individual public schools.

But the real impetus came from the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) ban in June. LA’s ban, a district-wide ban on cell phones during school hours, is set to go into effect next year. But that measure prompted Governor Newsom to reverse course just two days later and push for a statewide ban on cell phones in schools during school hours. The LAUSD ban also sparked dozens of other ban proposals across the state, including the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), which is now considering other possible bans and restrictions.

On Tuesday, however, Newsom launched a new campaign on cell phones, announcing that he is currently working with the state legislature on a stricter statewide ban and calling on all districts in the state to implement restrictions of some sort.

“As we strive to create the best learning environment for all students in the new school year, I am writing to you today to address a pressing issue that is affecting their well-being: the pervasive use of smartphones in schools,” Newsom said in his letter.

“Excessive smartphone use among teens is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 72% of high school and 33% of middle school teachers cite cell phone distractions as a major problem. Common Sense Media found that 97% of students use their phones for an average of 43 minutes during the school day. Combined with the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services’ warning about the risks of social media, there is an urgent need to create common sense safeguards for smartphone use in schools.

“As I work with lawmakers to further restrict student smartphone use on campus, there is no reason for schools to wait. In 2019, I signed AB 272 (Muratsuchi), which gives school districts the authority to regulate smartphone use during school hours. This law was a critical step in our efforts to minimize distractions and create a more conducive learning environment for our students. It is imperative that school districts take full advantage of this law to address growing concerns about student well-being and academic achievement.

“Using the tools of this law, I urge all school districts to act now and limit smartphone use on campus as the new school year begins. The evidence is clear: reduced cell phone use in class leads to better concentration, better academic outcomes, and improved social interactions. Schools and districts, including Santa Barbara Unified and Bullard High in Fresno, have seen positive effects of limiting smartphone use on campus. Some report better test scores, grades, and increased student engagement, as well as less bullying and damage to school facilities. I applaud these districts and others like LA Unified for their leadership.

“Every classroom should be a place of focus, learning and growth. Together, educators, school administrators and parents can create an environment where students can fully focus on their education, free from the distractions of phones and the pressures of social media.”

New calls for a nationwide ban on mobile phones in schools

However, experts warned the Globe on Tuesday that this is easier said than done.

“Newsom underestimated how difficult this will be,” child psychologist Dr. Stacy Powers told the Globe on Tuesday. “Bags, lockers, other methods. There is no good solution. Students are getting creative very quickly to keep their phones with them. They claim there are immediate medical emergencies. They wait for urgent calls. They find new ways to hide them during class. They bring a broken or non-working phone, put it in a bag or locker, and keep the working one with them.

“I’m not sure I would compare it to addicts, but I would say it’s like smuggling things through a prison or a rehab facility. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. So schools really need the harshest punishments possible and then have to implement them for this to be effective. With cell phones, the genie is out of the bottle, but you can’t embrace the madness either. But try explaining to kids glued to TikTok or other social media platforms that they’re doing this for their own benefit.

“We don’t need a vague outline of bans like the one Newsom wrote today. We need a list of the most effective ways to do it. There is a proposal that would require a student caught with such a device that many times to either be barred from attending state colleges and universities or have to pay the cost of attending in another state. Or they will become ineligible for state scholarships. Or they will be banned from school sports or clubs for a week or two for each use. Something drastic. Other proposals are more of a slap on the wrist.

“We need solutions, and Newsom has only given reasons for this and asked schools to do it. He is only fighting half the battle.”

“The Santa Barbara and LAUSD prohibition statistics, when available, will be a valuable guide, but Newsom has forgotten that we are currently in relatively uncharted territory with the prohibitions. The state needs to provide consequences or suggested consequences for repeated use during prohibited hours so that students are less likely to try to get away with it during school hours.”

Further information on the planned bans on mobile phones in schools, including the new legislation mentioned above, will follow shortly.