Why are US states and school districts implementing smartphone bans in schools?

In recent years, a notable trend has emerged across various US states and school districts: the banning of smartphones in schools. This trend has sparked considerable debate and discussion, primarily driven by concerns over the impact of social media and technology on students' academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being.

Recently, Los Angeles has joined numerous other US school districts, states, and cities in implementing restrictions on smartphones in public schools, amid ongoing discussions regarding the impact of social media and technology on children and adolescents.

In the past month, the Los Angeles Unified School District Board, overseeing approximately 1,000 schools, passed a resolution to formulate a policy prohibiting student access to cellphones and social media platforms within 120 days, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

The policy is slated for implementation in 2025. Since 2019, California has had legislation enabling school districts to limit smartphone use during school hours, except for emergencies.

California Governor Gavin Newsom stated on June 19, "When children and teens are in school, they should be focused on their studies, not their screens."

Recently, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy proposed adding warning labels to social media platforms, akin to those on tobacco and alcohol products.

"Social media is linked to significant mental health risks for adolescents," Murthy wrote in The New York Times, advocating for a surgeon general's warning label that would require congressional action. This label would serve as a regular reminder to parents and adolescents that social media's safety has not been proven.

In addition to California, where Los Angeles is considering restrictions, several other states in the US have implemented bans on smartphones in public schools. Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Florida have all enacted statewide restrictions on the use of smartphones during school hours.

For instance, Indiana's Senate Bill 185, which prohibits students from using devices during instructional time, was signed into law by Governor Eric Holcomb in March and came into effect on July 1.

Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio recently enacted House Bill 250, which mandates school districts to restrict smartphone use in classrooms to minimize distractions. The bill empowers local school administrators to establish their own policies regarding smartphone bans, with allowances for health or medical emergencies.

DeWine emphasized the importance of reducing distractions to allow Ohio students to fully engage in their studies, learn from educators, and foster lasting friendships.

Similarly, the Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Committee moved forward in February with Senate Bill 1314, imposing a ban on smartphone use by students while on public school campuses.

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida emphasized the importance of restoring a traditional educational focus by passing legislation to ban smartphones and wireless devices in schools during instructional hours. He argued that social media creates more problems than it solves and leads to more harm than good for children.

Similar to Ohio's approach, Florida's law grants local school districts the authority to determine how to enforce the ban. DeSantis stressed the need for schools to prioritize traditional education while also requiring social media literacy to be integrated into the curriculum.

While Michigan lacks a statewide ban on smartphones in schools, some districts, such as the Flint Board of Education, have independently implemented policies prohibiting phone use within school buildings and on school buses starting in January.