Los Angeles School District Votes to Ban Cell Phones in Schools To Boost Student Focus

LAUSD cell phone ban school policy change student smartphone use Education Reform

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Jun 19, 02:47 am

Photo: (Photo : Mario Tama / Getty Images)

A Los Angeles School District is voting for a school policy change to ban student smartphone use on campus.

This is aimed at enhancing student focus and academic performance, the Los Angeles Unified School District ( LAUSD) board suggested 5-2 on Tuesday to ban cell phones during academy hours.

This significant policy change, set to be enforced by the spring 2025 semester, extends the quarter's restrictions on cell phone use and reflects a broader public concern among preceptors.

LAUSD Cell Phone Ban To Address Classroom Distractions

The LAUSD's decision comes in response to widespread frustration over the disruptive impact of cell phones in educational settings.

According to a recent Pew Research Center report, 72 percent of high school teachers in the United States consider cell phone distractions a major issue in classrooms.

Board member Nick Melvoin, a crucial proponent of the ban, emphasized that the inordinate use of smartphones is hindering students' socialization, mental health, and academic success.

Melvoin believes that he voices his observations, saying that students are glued to their mobile devices and are constantly scrolling in class. He adds that the students are missing out on real social relations during regular school breaks such as lunch and recess since they are plugged in their phones.

Research cited by supporters of the ban suggests that excessive cell phone use is linked to various mental health issues, including increased stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, feelings of aggression, and even suicidal thoughts.

Limiting cell phone use during the school day, they argue, can lead to improved academic performance and better mental health outcomes for students.

Balancing Safety and Communication Needs

Despite backing the ban, some board members expressed concerns about how it would affect students' capability to communicate with their parents, especially during emergencies.

Melvoin conceded these worries, noting that numerous parents have raised apprehensions about maintaining communication in extreme situations, similar to a mass shooting.

To address these concerns, the board discussed potential accommodations for students who aren't fluent in English and may use smartphones for translations.

The perpetration of the ban could vary between schools, with some banning phones entirely on school premises, while others might require students to store their phones in lockers or magnetic pouches during academy hours.

"There will be differences between schools," said LAUSD School Board President Jackie Goldberg. "But the idea is really simple: If you bring your phone to school, you park it at the beginning of the day, either in a locker or a pouch, and you pick it up when you go home."

Legislative Environment and Broader Counteraccusations

The LAUSD's decision aligns with legislative trends in California and other states. In 2019, California's state council passed a law permitting school districts to limit student smartphone use.

A new bill presently moving through the state council aims to dictate restrictions or bans on cell phone use in public seminaries statewide by July 1, 2026.

The LAUSD offers references to these legislative efforts, emphasizing similar initiatives in states like Oklahoma, Kansas, Vermont, Ohio, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.

Supporters of the LAUSD ban also pointed to Florida's measures to block social media access on school district Wi-Fi as part of broader efforts to manage technology use in schools.

Interestingly, the LAUSD vote coincided with a topical essay by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Dr. Murthy's op-ed called for advising labels on social media apps, citing their potential detriment to adolescents' mental health.