In a significant move towards enhancing student well-being, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education voted on Tuesday to work towards a complete ban on smartphones in schools. This decision aligns with growing concerns about the adverse effects of smartphone use on young people’s mental health.
Support from State Leadership
California Governor Gavin Newsom has voiced strong support for restrictions on smartphone use in schools, echoing the sentiments of the LAUSD. This decision comes as part of a broader effort to address the mental health crisis exacerbated by excessive screen time and social media usage.
The Ban Proposal
The LAUSD Board, which oversees the second largest school district in the United States, instructed staff to devise a comprehensive plan to prohibit cell phones and social media during school hours. The proposed ban aims to improve students’ mental health and academic performance.
“Schools that have already implemented a phone-free school day report incredible results — kids are happier, they’re talking to one another, their academics are up,” said board member Nick Melvoin, who proposed the ban. “And so I really think this is an idea whose time has come.”
Research Supporting the Ban
The resolution cites extensive research linking excessive cell phone use to increased stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, aggression, and suicidal thoughts among adolescents. Studies also indicate that removing phones and social media from the school day can boost standardized test scores and final exam results, equivalent to gaining an additional hour of instructional time per week.
Nationwide Concerns
This vote impacts approximately 600,000 students and follows a call from U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy for warning labels on social media platforms. In a New York Times opinion piece, Dr. Murthy noted that adolescents spending over three hours daily on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms. The average daily use in this age group was 4.8 hours as of summer 2023.
Broader Legislative Efforts
Just hours before the LAUSD vote, Governor Newsom expressed his support for a state-wide initiative to restrict smartphone use among schoolchildren. “As the Surgeon General affirmed, social media is harming the mental health of our youth,” he said. “When children and teens are in school, they should be focused on their studies — not their screens.”
A pending bill in the California state legislature aims to mandate school districts to implement measures limiting or prohibiting phone use during school hours. “I look forward to working with the Legislature to restrict the use of smartphones during the school day,” added Newsom, a father of four.
National Trends
Other states are also taking action. Florida banned student cell phone use last year, and similar measures are being considered in Oklahoma, Kansas, Vermont, Ohio, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.
For more updates on education policies and initiatives, visit Wave News.
