Sacramento, Calif. — California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed new restrictions on students’ smartphone usage during school hours to address the mental health risks associated with social media. This initiative follows U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s call for warning labels on social media platforms, particularly regarding their impact on young people. Newsom aims to build upon existing legislation from 2019 that allows school districts to regulate smartphone use among students while on campus or under school supervision.
Acknowledging the harm caused by excessive social media use, Newsom emphasized the importance of focusing on academics rather than screens during school hours. While details of the proposal remain scarce, the California School Boards Association supports local decision-making on smartphone regulations rather than a statewide mandate. This announcement reflects the nationwide discourse on social media’s influence, prompting actions like Florida’s strict social media ban for children and efforts to restrict addictive platform algorithms in New York.
Los Angeles Unified School District recently voted to consider policies limiting students’ cell phone use at school, highlighting the growing concern over excessive screen time among youth. State Senator Henry Stern has introduced a bill to empower districts to control social media access, showing bipartisan support for addressing this issue at a legislative level.