California governor is trying to curb smartphones in schools

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to “remove smartphones from schools.”

“I look forward to working with the Legislature to restrict smartphone use during the school day,” he said. “When children and teens are in school, they should be focusing on their studies – not on their screens.” statement on Tuesday.

Newsom plans to work with the California legislature to pass these restrictions by August. politico First reportThis would bring California into line with other states that have already set strict limits on smartphone use in schools. The move could also be particularly significant in California, the nation’s most populous state and home to Silicon Valley.

There is momentum growing across the country to protect children from the potential harms associated with smartphones and social media. Cyber ​​bullying To body image Schools have become battlegrounds on this issue, Concerns This problem arose due to the distraction of students using mobile phones during class.

In 2019, Newsome signed Legislation It gives school districts the power to limit or outright ban student smartphone use at school. Newsom aims to move forward with new legislation that would establish statewide limits.

Newsom also said Put signature on a law in 2022 which pushes social media companies to increase protections for underage users, including limiting how much data they collect and sell from young people. Last year, he wrote an article Letter He urged the tech industry to drop its lawsuit challenging that law. “It’s time for the tech industry to stop standing in the way of critical protections for our children and teens and start working with us to keep our kids safe,” he said. wrote,

The governor’s new call for action Tuesday comes on the heels of a call from the U.S. surgeon general. Plea On Monday, Congress was asked to require warning labels on social media platforms. Vivek H. Murthy wrote in a guest essay, “Social media platforms need warning labels from the Surgeon General stating that social media is linked to significant mental health harms for adolescents.” In the new York Times,

While Congress is deadlocked, states and school districts have taken action on their own. Florida And Indiana There are already laws restricting smartphone use. Yesterday, the Los Angeles Unified School District board passed a law that would make it illegal for people to use smartphones. Voted Develop policies to prevent students from using mobile phones and social media throughout the school day.