California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill on Monday that “requires all school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education to adopt policies limiting or banning smartphone use by July 1, 2026.”
This law: AB3216The bill, known as the “No Phone Schools” bill, would expand existing laws that give local school officials the power to set their own policies restricting smartphone use during school hours and on school grounds.
The new law takes a more proactive approach.
By July 1, 2026, a school district, county office of education, or charter school governing body shall develop and adopt, and update every five years, a policy that limits or prohibits smartphone use by students while the student is at school or under the supervision and control of employees of the school district, county office of education, or charter school. The goal of the policy is to promote evidence-based smartphone use to support student learning and well-being. Policy development requires significant stakeholder participation to ensure the policy responds to the unique needs and desires of students, parents, and educators in each community. The policy may also include enforcement mechanisms to limit access to smartphones.
While many parents will praise the smartphone ban, critics will point out that Newsom continues to erode the authority and autonomy of local school districts by fighting over curriculum and other educational decisions.
Joel B. Pollack is executive editor of Breitbart News. Breitbart News Sunday It airs Sundays from 7:00pm-10:00pm ET (4:00pm-7:00pm PT) on SiriusXM Patriot. He is the author of the following books: Agenda: What President Trump Should Do in His First 100 Daysavailable for pre-order on Amazon. He also The Trump Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trump's Presidencyavailable now on Audible. He is the recipient of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter. Joel Pollack.
