Golden State Today

State Superintendent Thurmond Calls for Restrictions on Cell Phone Use in Schools

Aug 13, 2024

Thurmond commends many districts for starting the year with cell phone-free classrooms, encourages more to join statewide effort supporting students’ wellness, safety, and academic achievement by restricting phones.

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today called for local educational agencies (LEAs) to join California’s statewide effort to restrict students’ cell phone use in schools, citing evidence of harm to students’ mental health and well-being, as well as a correlation between smartphone addiction and negative impacts on learning and academic performance.

This call-to-action echoes existing legislation that empowers California school districts to enact policies that restrict students’ cell phone use. Assembly Bill 272 (Muratsuchi), which became effective January 1, 2020, affirms the right of school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to establish policies that restrict students’ cell phone use in schools.

“I want to commend those schools and districts who have chosen to start this school year by establishing clear limits on students’ cell phone use in schools,” said Thurmond. “As parents and educators, we know that excessive smartphone use has a negative impact on the well-being of our young people. Our responsibility to protect young people from harm includes establishing clear limits on their access to smartphones at school and, in doing so, supporting our kids’ healthy development both academically and socially.”

Many California districts are starting the year with district-wide cell phone bans, including Lincoln Unified in San Joaquin County and Roseville City School District in the Sacramento area.

Superintendent Thurmond will be available for comment regarding cell phones in schools between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. today, August 13.

Members of the press who are interested in the Superintendent’s media availability should reach out to Liz Sanders, CDE Director of Communications, at 916-268-2081 or esanders@cde.ca.gov.

All other inquiries should be directed to communications@cde.ca.gov.