Gov. Newsom signs bill to limit smartphone use in schools into law

DUBLIN, CA (KCBS RADIO) – California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill to limit the use of smartphones during school hours.

Many students, parents and even school officials are pushing back against cell phone bans.

“I have my schedule on my phone,” Avaani Joshi, a freshman at Emerald High School in Dublin, said.  “I don’t know my schedule without using my phone so I am looking at my phone in between classes.”

That's one of the reasons that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill requiring that every school district in the state develop a policy limiting the use of cell phones.

Newsom said in a statement, "Excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression and other mental health issues."

But Dublin Unified Superintendent Chris Funk said mobile phones do have a place on campus.

“If you are in athletics and you have a rainy day,  you may need to inform your parent that your game was canceled.”

He told KCBS Radio the district is currently revising their policy on student phone use.  The bill – called the Phone Free School Act – requires that school districts adopt policies to restrict smartphone use by July 1st 2026.