California Governor Gavin Newsom has committed to implementing restrictions on smartphone use in schools, with the goal of enhancing educational focus by reducing digital distractions.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 18, Newsom expressed his intention to collaborate with the California legislature to pass these restrictions by August, as reported by Politico. This legislative effort aligns California with other states that have already established strict limits on smartphone use in educational settings.
Why the Push for Smartphone Restriction?
The governor’s initiative is driven by concerns about the potential harms associated with smartphones and social media, such as cyberbullying and body image issues. Newsom emphasized the need for students to concentrate on their studies rather than their screens during school hours.
https://digitalmarketreports.com/news/17489/uk-mps-urge-government-to-consider-smartphone-ban-for-under-16s/His approach builds on past legislative actions; in 2019, he signed a law allowing school districts to limit or outright ban smartphone usage in schools. Moreover, in 2022, Newsom signed another law targeting social media companies to enhance protections for underage users by restricting the collection and sale of their data.
The urgency of addressing these issues was further underscored by a recent plea from the US Surgeon General, Vivek H. Murthy, who, in a guest essay for The New York Times, called on Congress to mandate warning labels on social media platforms, highlighting the significant mental health risks they pose to adolescents.
Amid federal inaction, states like Florida and Indiana, along with local entities such as the Los Angeles Unified School District, have taken measures into their own hands. The Los Angeles district board, for instance, voted on June 18 to develop policies that would prevent students from using cell phones and accessing social media throughout the school day.
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