New legislation proposes statewide smartphone ban
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California lawmakers have proposed a bill to ban student smartphone use in schools from 'bell-to-bell', joining at least 10 other states with similar policies. The proposed legislation, AB 1644, aims to improve academic outcomes and reduce mental health issues among students.
California is considering a statewide ban on student smartphone use in schools under a newly proposed bipartisan bill, AB 1644. The bill would require TK-12 public schools and charter schools to adopt 'bell-to-bell' policies, prohibiting smartphone use from the start to the end of the school day, with exceptions for safety, health, and educational purposes. The legislation is supported by research showing that excessive smartphone use leads to negative academic and mental health outcomes. If passed, California would join at least 10 other states with similar policies, including Texas, New York, and Virginia. The bill is set to be implemented by July 1, 2027, and would replace the existing Phone-Free School Act, which allowed districts to craft their own policies. The proposed ban is backed by Governor Newsom, who has encouraged districts to restrict smartphone use, citing concerns about anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among young people.
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