California Gov. Proposes School Smartphone Restrictions Amid Mental Health Concerns

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday his intention to restrict students' smartphone usage during the school day, highlighting the mental health dangers posed by social media. This announcement follows U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's call for Congress to mandate warning labels on social media platforms concerning their impact on youth.

Newsom's plan aims to expand a 2019 law that allows school districts to limit or ban smartphone use by students during school hours or while under school supervision. "As the Surgeon General affirmed, social media is harming the mental health of our youth," Newsom stated. "I look forward to working with the Legislature to restrict the use of smartphones during the school day. When children and teens are in school, they should be focused on their studies - not their screens."

While specific details of the proposal were not provided, the California School Boards Association emphasized that decisions regarding student smartphone usage should be made at the local level. "We support legislation which empowers school leaders to make policy decisions at a local level that reflect their community's concerns and what's necessary to support their students," said spokesperson Troy Flint.

Newsom’s proposal adds to the ongoing national debate on managing social media and smartphone usage among young people. In recent times, some teens have voluntarily avoided social media to enhance their mental health and academic performance. In contrast, legislative measures in various states have sought stricter controls. For instance, Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis implemented one of the country’s toughest restrictions on children's social media usage earlier this year. Similarly, New York's Legislature recently passed a bill allowing parents to block algorithm-driven social media content for their children.

In California, previous attempts to penalize social media companies for creating addictive content for children have failed. However, a bill by state Senator Nancy Skinner, which aims to prohibit online platforms from providing addictive content to minors, passed the state Senate in May and is set for a committee hearing in the Assembly next month.

In line with these developments, the Los Angeles Unified School District board voted on Tuesday to develop policies banning students' use of cell phones during the school day, with certain exceptions. Board Member Nick Melvoin noted the pervasive presence of cell phones among students, mirroring adult behavior. "When I talk to teachers and students and parents and principals, I also hear the same, which is that more and more time is being spent on policing student phone use," he stated. "There's not coherent enforcement, and they're looking for some support from the board and from the district."

Additionally, state Senator Henry Stern, who represents parts of the Los Angeles area, proposed a bill to expand school districts' authority to limit students' social media use in schools. Stern expressed willingness to withdraw his bill if a more effective solution is developed in collaboration with lawmakers and the governor. "It's just too hard for every teacher, every school, or every parent to have to figure this out on their own," Stern said. "There's some times where government just has to step in and make some bigger rules of the road."

Why This Matters: The increasing recognition of social media's impact on mental health, particularly among young people, underscores the urgency of regulatory measures. With growing evidence linking excessive smartphone use to mental health issues, the proposal aims to protect students and promote a healthier learning environment.

Key Takeaways

• Governor Newsom aims to restrict smartphone use in California schools due to mental health concerns.
• The plan builds on a 2019 law allowing districts to limit or ban smartphones during school hours.
• Local school districts and state lawmakers express varying opinions on the best approach to regulation.
• Legislative measures in other states highlight a nationwide concern over social media’s impact on youth.
• The Los Angeles Unified School District is developing policies to ban cell phone use during the school day.