California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a bold initiative to eliminate school smartphone usage.

In a recent statement, Newsom emphasized how crucial it is for students to focus on their studies rather than become distracted by screens.

The 56-year-old politician said that children and teens should be focused on what they are studying inside the school and not on using gadgets.

Legislative Action for Smartphone Restrictions

Governor Newsom will collaborate with the California legislature to implement these restrictions by August. This effort would align California with other states that have already imposed strict limits on smartphone use in educational settings.

Restricting the use of handsets is no longer a new scene since UNESCO previously expressed concerns over too much use of technology in the classroom.

While there's no harm in using tech tools during class, the agency argued that teachers shouldn't do it excessively as they will not replace conventional teaching methods.

Related Article: US Schools Embrace No-Phone Policy for Distraction-Free, Mental Health-Focused Learning Experience

Growing Concern Over Smartphone Impact

The initiative is a nationwide issue, highlighting the potential harms of smartphones and social media to young people.

According to The Verge, problems such as cyberbullying and body image problems are increasingly prominent, and schools have become central in addressing these concerns.

Distracted students using their phones during class is a major issue, prompting various states to take legislative action.

Newsom and His Aim to Ban Smartphones During School Hours

Apparently, this is not the first time that Newsom has pushed for a more comprehensive approach that would bar students from using phones in class.

In 2019, Newsom signed a law allowing school districts to restrict or ban smartphone use during school hours. The new proposed legislation would take this further, establishing statewide school smartphone use limits. He believes this will protect young people from the negative impacts of digital technology.

Enhancing Protections for Underage Users

Newsom's efforts are not limited to schools. In 2022, he signed legislation compelling social media companies to bolster protections for underage users. This law includes restrictions on the amount of data collected from young users and limits on data sales.

"It is time for the tech industry to stop standing in the way of important protections for our kids and teens, and to start working with us to keep our kids safe," he said.

National Momentum and Local Actions

The governor's recent announcement follows the US Surgeon General's call for warning labels on social media platforms, emphasizing the mental health risks associated with social media use among adolescents.

As Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy wrote in The New York Times, there's a need to include a warning label on social media apps and indicate that they can bring mental health problems to adolescents.

States Leading the Charge

While Congress remains in a stalemate, states and school districts are taking proactive measures.

Florida and Indiana have enacted laws restricting smartphone use in schools. The Los Angeles Unified School District board recently voted to develop policies prohibiting students from using cell phones and social media throughout the school day.

More work needs to be done before Newsom's initiative can function. Although it's a great step to lessen students' distractions, it would still spark a debate among people who oppose it.

Outside the US, Sweden imposed a smartphone ban law inside the classrooms in 2022.

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