Los Angeles School Board Bans Smartphones

The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education voted Tuesday to prohibit smartphones for its 429,000 pupils to protect them from distractions and social media that impede learning and harm mental health

The board of the second-largest school district in the United States voted 5-2 to approve a resolution that mandates the development of a policy that prohibits students from using social media platforms and cellphones within 120 days. By January 2025, the policy would be implemented.

“I believe we will be at the forefront of this initiative, and the students, the city, and the country as a whole will benefit,” stated board member Nick Melvoin, who proposed the resolution.

On Monday, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy advocated for a warning label on social media platforms that would function similarly to those found on cigarette containers, citing a mental health emergency.

During school hours, officials from the Los Angeles Unified School District will evaluate the necessity of storing phones in lockers or purses and the appropriate exceptions for students of varying ages and those with physical or learning disabilities.

School officials will also investigate the use of technology to restrict social media platforms and how the policy will apply to various devices, including smartwatches.

Based on his apprehensions that the policy would be excessively restrictive, board member George McKenna voted against the resolution.

A “no” vote was also cast by board member Scott Schmerelson, who expressed uncertainty regarding the enforcement of the policy and whether the prohibition would be implemented during non-instructional time.

“I think it’s going to be a full-time job being the police of the phone,” Schmerelson indicated.

Los Angeles has joined several lesser school districts in prohibiting using smartphones or social media. Last year, a law was enacted in Florida, which has approximately 2.8 million public school pupils, mandating that school districts restrict student access to social media. Similar legislation has been implemented in numerous other states.

Although the research on mental health hazards is still incomplete, Murthy, the surgeon general, stated that the emergency was so evident that it necessitated immediate action.

Murthy cited a study in the medical journal JAMA that suggests adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media may be at a higher risk of developing mental illness.

Additionally, he referenced a Gallup poll that indicated the average adolescent spends 4.8 hours per day on social media.

The L.A. school district cited additional evidence that cellphone addiction was associated with an increase in cyberbullying and anxiety.