About AB 3216:
The Phone Free Schools Act
Governor Newsom signed AB 3216, the Phone-Free Schools Act, into law in September 2024. While it’s an important step forward, the bill only encourages school districts to adopt policies that “limit or restrict” student cellphone use. It does not require schools to implement true bell-to-bell phone-free environments—which research shows is the most effective approach. As a result, the law leaves significant discretion to districts and may not result in meaningful change without stronger implementation guidance.
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We are advocating for the bill to be amended to require districts to adopt bell-to-bell phone policies in all grade levels K - 12, however we recognize that expansion may need to wait until after implementation is underway and evaluated.
We remain committed to supporting districts as they shift toward phone-free learning and stand ready to share parent and educator perspectives as implementation unfolds.
PHONE-FREE MODEL LEGISLATION
​​​Children learn best in an environment where they feel safe and are free from constant distractions. ​
The introduction of phones and other personal devices in school environments has disrupted children's academic and social development. Teachers have witnessed the impact on student focus and learning first-hand. A National Education Association poll found that 83% of teachers support a ban on all-day phone use.
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When schools implement bell-to-bell phone and personal device-free environments, students thrive (improvements in academics, mental health, and social cohesion). This leads to a safer school environment - a break from cyberbullying and other online harm - will improve children’s mental health and social development, and will allow school leaders/administrators/staff more time to focus on more important work.​
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The goal of the Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project is to support efforts in states throughout the country to enact strong, first bell to last bell, phone - and personal electronic device-free policies. ​​​​
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Read the Phone-Free School Model Legislation
State Map of Phone-Free School Legislation
California was one of the first in the nation to pass legislation restricting phone use in schools with the Phone Free Schools Act. Unfortunately, the law only requires schools to have a cell phone policy in place. This has led to uneven implementation and varying results.
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It's time for California to join 18 other states in requiring true bell-to-bell phone policies in our schools.
