California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law on Monday requiring school districts to create rules that limit student smartphone use. This makes California the latest state to address the issue of phone use in schools, joining states like Florida, Louisiana, and Indiana that have also implemented restrictions to minimize distractions in the classroom and mitigate the mental health impacts of social media on children.

“This new law will help students focus on academics, social development, and the world in front of them, not their screens, when they’re in school,” Newsom said in a statement.

However, some critics argue that enforcing these rules should not fall on teachers. Others are concerned that these policies could make it harder for students to seek help in emergencies or feel that phone bans should be left to individual districts or schools.

Troy Flint, a spokesperson for the California School Boards Association, noted, “We support those districts that have already acted independently to implement restrictions. They have determined what makes sense for their communities regarding safety, school culture, and academic achievement. We simply oppose the mandate.”

The law requires districts to establish rules by July 1, 2026, to limit or ban smartphone use on campus or while students are under school supervision. Policies will need to be updated every five years.

This law follows Newsom’s 2019 law that authorized districts to restrict phone use. In June, Newsom renewed his focus on the issue after the U.S. Surgeon General called for warning labels on social media due to its effects on youth. In response, Newsom sent letters to districts urging them to limit device use, particularly after Los Angeles Unified School District voted to ban student phones during the school day starting in January.

Assemblymember Josh Hoover, who introduced the bill, is a parent of school-aged children and says phone restrictions help students focus better. His own children’s schools have similar policies, which he believes help with face-to-face interactions.

However, some parents are concerned that phone bans could prevent them from reaching their children in emergencies. This concern has been heightened by recent school shootings. The law does make exceptions for emergencies, and some believe phones should be turned off in active shooter situations to avoid revealing a student’s location.

Teachers in districts that have implemented phone bans, like Santa Barbara Unified, have reported positive changes in student engagement. Principal Tarik McFall of Sutter Middle School in Folsom noted that the ban has “totally changed the culture” of the school, with students spending more time interacting with each other.

While technology has become more integral to education, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, some teachers, like Mara Harvey of Discovery High School, point out that smartphones can sometimes serve as an alternative when students forget school-provided devices, such as Chromebooks. Nonetheless, districts continue to balance the benefits and challenges of technology use in schools.