“California passed a law to limit the use of smartphones in schools The governor of California signed a law to limit the use of smartphones in schools until 2026. The goal is to reduce the risk of mental illness and improve student learning.”, — write on: unn.ua
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Thirteen other US states this year have banned or restricted the use of cellphones in schools or recommended that local educators do so, after Florida became the first to ban phones in classrooms in 2023, it said.
California, with nearly 5.9 million public school students, followed the lead of its own Los Angeles County, whose school board in June banned smartphones for its 429,000 students.
In the same month, US Chief Medical Officer Vivek Murthy called for warning stickers on social media platforms similar to those on cigarette packs, likening the issue to a mental health emergency.
Murthy cited a study in the medical journal JAMA showing that teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media may have an increased risk of mental illness. He also cited a Gallup poll showing that the average teenager spends 4.8 hours a day on social media.
The California bill, which passed 76-0 in the state Assembly and 38-1 in the Senate, requires school boards or other governing bodies to develop policies restricting or banning student use of smartphones on school grounds by July 1, 2026, and to update those policies. every five years.
We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression and other mental health problems, but we have the power to intervene. This new law will help students focus on learning, social development and the world in front of them, not on their screens. , when they are in school,
We will remind
As I wrote earlier UNNback in June of this year, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to restrict student use of smartphones during school hours, citing mental health risks associated with social media, and intended to work with the legislature on the initiative.