Why is this important?
Excessive smartphone use among young people is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 72% of high school teachers and 33% of middle school teachers cited cell phone distraction as a major problem. A Common Sense Media survey found that 97% of students spend an average of 43 minutes on their phones during class. This, combined with the U.S. Surgeon General’s warnings about the risks of social media, makes it urgent to put in place appropriate guardrails for smartphone use in schools.
Supporting smartphone-free classrooms
Congressman Josh Huber: “I thank Governor Newsom for his leadership and the bipartisan group of lawmakers who worked with us to make school cell phone bans a reality. AB 3216 is a major win for protecting and improving the mental health and academic achievement of students across California,” said State Assemblyman Josh Huber. “Research continues to show the potentially harmful effects of children’s smartphone use. The increased use of these devices in children’s daily lives can lead to lower test scores, anxiety, depression and even suicide. I’m proud that our state is taking action to limit smartphone use in schools and protect our children from these harms.”
Chairman of the Parliamentary Education Committee, Rep. Al Muratsuchi: “I thank the Governor for signing AB 3216. California school districts should place limits on student smartphone use on campus during school hours unless approved by teachers or administrators for academic, emergency or other purposes. In 2019, I authored Assembly Bill 272 to encourage school districts to consider such restrictions. Since then, a growing body of research has shown that excessive smartphone use not only interferes with learning, but also leads to teen anxiety, depression and cyberbullying. Every school district must develop its own appropriate policies to balance appropriate student smartphone use in school while limiting the impact of excessive smartphone use on students’ educational, social and emotional well-being.”
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond: “AB 3216 represents an important opportunity to address student mental health by restricting smartphone use in schools. I have been speaking directly with students, parents and educators as we consider the need for this important change, and I will continue to strive to listen to young people, their families and hard-working school staff as we implement smartphone restrictions across the state.”
Statewide initiative to support youth mental health
California is transforming its entire mental health and substance use disorder system, with a particular focus on youth. For California’s youngest population, Governor Newsom developed the Master Plan for Children’s Mental Health to increase access to mental health and substance use disorder supports for all Californians ages 0-25. The Master Plan also includes the Child and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), a historic investment by California that takes a “whole child” approach to address factors that contribute to children and youth mental health and well-being.
