California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law that requires schools to limit or ban the use of smartphones on campus, aiming to reduce the negative effects of excessive phone usage on students’ mental health and learning. The legislation, passed with overwhelming support, mandates school boards to implement these restrictions by July 1, 2026, with updates every five years.
California’s move follows the lead of Los Angeles County, which banned smartphones for its 429,000 students in June, and aligns with a growing trend across the U.S. This year, 13 other states have introduced similar restrictions after Florida became the first to ban phones in class in 2023.
Governor Newsom emphasized that the new law aims to address rising concerns about smartphone use leading to increased anxiety, depression, and impaired social development among students. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy had earlier likened excessive social media use to a mental health emergency, citing studies showing adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media are at greater risk of mental illness.
“This law is a crucial step to ensure students are more engaged in academics and the world around them, rather than their screens,” Newsom said in a statement.