Gov. Newsom signs bill requiring schools to restrict, prohibit student cell phone use

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KTLA

“We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues – but we have the power to intervene. This new law will help students focus on academics, social development, and the world in front of them, not their screens, when they’re in school,” Newsom said in a statement.[/excerpt

Now that the governor has signed the bill, school districts statewide have until July 2026 to develop and adopt a smartphone usage restriction policy for students. The new law also states that the policy must be updated every five years.

The statewide proposal also received some opposition from the California School Boards Association and support from the California Teachers Association and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond.

More information needed.

[Omnipresent]

1. How do they make 911 calls if a school shooter knows the phones are locked up?

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3. Please see my response (#2) to myself. I goofed again.☺

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2. One of my questions as well.

Kids have always had things, even non-smart phones, that were not allowed out in the classroom. I don't know how to keep kids focused in class and still safe. Do they still give detention?

[Omnipresent]

4. I work for an employer that has given active shooter training.

The training tells you how and where to hide if an active shooter is looking for people to kill.
The training is helpful, as long as the future active shooter isn’t in the classroom learning all this at the table next to you.

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7. Our society needs to recognize the perils to our children in the 21st century and develop real protection.

[MichMan]

5. How are they supposed to watch Tik Tock videos during class ?

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6. Same old problem; used to be comic books.

[Auggie]

8. I was on the fence about this until I heard a social psychiatrist come out in favor

We didn't have phones in the 1970s, though there were times, admittedly, it would have been nice to be able to call mom if practice was cancelled.

This is a good thing.

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9. I agree in theory. Wondering what the districts will come up with to implement.

I definitely want in class phone control but no phones is a little worrisome to me.

It's a different world than in the '70s.
Year Population in my little town, bought here in 1974
1970 11,856
1980 28,254
1990 52,422
2022 68,035

[Auggie]

10. Maybe the teachers are equipped with emergency phones

Some nuts want to give them guns. So why not phones instead?

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11. Yes! And the teacher should have it on person always.

Panic button every class may be too much to hope for, but I would like something kids could get to.

[Auggie]

13. Great idea. Plus, it doesn't have to be a smart phone.

That would be far cheaper.

[LauraInLA]

12. I've seen classrooms where the teacher collects phones in a basket in the start of class. Students may be

required to keep them in backpacks or lockers. I don’t believe this bill means kids can’t bring phones with them to school at all.