Gavin Newsom, Governor of California Issue a statement In support of efforts aimed at restricting the use of smartphones in schools within the country. like New York times According to reports, the governor announced his position just hours before board members in the Los Angeles Unified School District voted to pass a proposal to ban school phones. Newsom said he will work with lawmakers to “restrict smartphone use during the school day” this summer, because children and teens “should be focused on their studies — not their screens.”
The governor also mentioned and approved the US Surgeon General’s editorial that he published timesHe said that social media platforms should be required to do so Display warning labels From his office because it can significantly harm the mental health of teenagers. Vivek Murthy explained in his article that this designation, “which requires action by Congress, will regularly remind parents and teens that social media has not been proven to be safe.”
Newsom said the rules he develops will build on guidance he signed in 2019, which allows (but does not require) counties to adopt phone bans. If California passes a law banning phone use during school hours, it will join Florida and Indiana on the list of states with similar legislation. Florida schools are required to prohibit their students from using their phones during class time, and some districts even require them to ban phone use until it is time for students to go home. Other countries are expected to follow suit. New York City Specific social media As a public health risk earlier this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul He said previously It will continue to impose phone restrictions for schools in New York State next year.
While Los Angeles board members ultimately approved the phone ban proposal, two members voted against it. Someone said times He voted “no” because teachers are already facing difficulties enforcing the current restrictions in schools. Perhaps most importantly, he said parents need to be able to contact their children during emergencies, such as school shootings, echoing the concerns of parents who have opposed phone bans in the past.