California just declared a digital detox for classrooms! Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law this week requiring schools to limit or ban smartphones, citing rising mental health concerns linked to excessive screen time. 📉 The move follows similar policies in 13 other states, with Florida first to hit the “do not disturb” button on classroom phones.
Why It Matters
With nearly 5.9 million students affected, districts must adopt new phone policies by 2026—and update them every five years. LA County schools (home to 429,000 students) already banned devices in June, while US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy pushed for social media warning labels, calling youth mental health a “crisis.” 🔥
Science Backs the Ban
A JAMA study of 6,595 teens found those glued to social media over 3 hours daily face higher risks of anxiety and depression. “Students deserve to focus on the world in front of them,” Newsom said, framing the law as a tool to rebuild classroom connections and curb “scroll fatigue.” 📚✨
Could this be the start of a nationwide TikTok brain break? Educators and parents are watching closely.
