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When students in the Los Angeles Unified School District return to class after President’s Day, they might want to leave their cell phones at home.
A district-wide cell phone ban takes effect on Tuesday. It was approved by LAUSD’s board last June in an effort to improve student engagement, reduce bullying and improve mental health.
While the policies might vary slightly from school to school, there is one common rule: Cell phones must stay turned off and stored during school hours, including lunch.
Some campuses might choose to have them locked up or placed in classroom holders – or simply stored in backpacks.
“Students will finally be separated from mobile phones during the regular school day, allowing them to be the kids they are,” LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said in November. “Allowing them to socially interact with peers of their age. Allowing them to not be distracted in the classroom.”
Students caught using their cell phones at school could lose their devices and face other disciplinary action.
There are some exceptions, however, including the health needs of individual students, Individualized Education Program plans or translation purposes.
Public schools across California will be closely monitoring LAUSD’s cell phone ban. In August, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a statewide initiative, the Phone-Free School Act, requiring all districts to restrict the use of smartphones on campuses.
“We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues – but we have the power to intervene. This new law will help students focus on academics, social development, and the world in front of them, not their screens, when they’re in school,” Newsom said at the time.
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