New law targets excessive phone use in California schools

California has introduced a new law requiring schools to limit or ban the use of smartphones to combat rising concerns about their impact on mental health and education. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill following increasing evidence linking excessive phone use with anxiety, depression, and learning difficulties.

California is joining thirteen other states, including Florida, which introduced a similar ban last year. Los Angeles County schools, the state’s largest district, already prohibited phones for its 429,000 students earlier this year. The law, aimed at promoting student focus and social development, reflects a broader national movement to reduce smartphone use among young people.

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has warned of the growing mental health crisis associated with social media, comparing it to the dangers of smoking. Studies in the US suggest that teenagers spending more than three hours a day on social media are at increased risk of mental illness, with average usage exceeding four hours daily.

School boards across California will be required to implement policies limiting phone use by July 2026, with updates every five years. Newsom stressed the importance of addressing the issue early to improve students’ wellbeing and academic focus.