Phone-Free Classrooms Made Easy: How California’s New Bill Will Create Focused Learning Spaces

California Assembly Bill 3216: The Phones Free School Act

Assembly Bill 3216, also known as the Phones Free School Act, builds on prior policies and evidence from other countries and states, such as France’s 2018 nationwide smartphone ban for primary and middle schools, which aimed to create healthier social development and improve student achievement. California’s new law reflects a growing consensus that regulating smartphone use in educational settings can make a positive difference in student well-being and performance. The bill includes a provision for periodic updates, requiring schools to review their smartphone policies every five years, which will help ensure that policies remain relevant as technology and social behaviors continue to evolve.

With a growing number of studies showing the adverse effects of smartphone use on student mental health and academic performance, the Phones Free School Act is intended to address these issues head-on. By reducing students’ access to their smartphones during school hours, California hopes to foster healthier, more focused educational environments that support academic achievement and emotional stability.

The Necessity of the Phones Free School Act

The Phones Free School Act responds to a significant and growing problem: the overuse of smartphones among students and its damaging effects. Recent studies have linked excessive smartphone use to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts among teens. Research has also shown that limiting smartphone access in schools can positively impact student well-being and focus.

Here are some key findings:

Mental Health Impact

• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, cell phones present a clear distraction for schools today. teenagers who spend over three hours a day on their phones are significantly more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
• The Pew Research Center released an article stating 72% of high school teachers in the USA think cell phone distraction is a major distraction and problem for students trying to focus in school. However 60% of teachers whose districs have enacted policies to limit cell phone use in school think that these possibilities are difficult to enforce.
• Dr. Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, links excessive social media use to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts among teenagers. In her book titled "iGen" she states grade 8 pupils who spend 10 or more hours per week on social media are 56 percent more likely to describe themselves as unhappy than those who devote less time to social media. Also, teenagers who spend three hours per day or more on electronic devices are 35 percent more likely to demonstrate risk factors for suicide, and teenagers who spend five or more hours per day on their devices are 71 percent more likely to demonstrate a risk factor for suicide.
• Social media and Cyberbullying, in particular, contributes to feelings of inadequacy and can strain student's focus, which follows them even into the classroom. The presence of cell phones in classrooms can also lead to higher rates of academic dishonesty and decreased academic performance.

The Benefits of Phone Free Classrooms

• A 2015 study by the London School of Economics and Political Science found that schools that banned smartphones saw significant improvements in test scores, particularly among disadvantaged students. The main focus of the study was determining how much of an improvement students could gain by having a focused learning environment without cell phones. Interestingly the most notable performance gains occurring among disadvantaged and underachieving students.
• Research from the Labour Economics journal showed that students in schools that limited smartphone access had test scores comparable to adding five extra days to the school year. This article looked into the how the use of smartphones by students affected their lives in a number of catagories such as academic performance, sleep quality and quantity, anxiety, loneliness , depression, overall life satisfaction, and social relationships. Unsurprisingly the studies found most all of these catagories had a negative correlation with smartphone usage.

Solutions for Enforcing the Phones Free School Act

Implementing a smartphone-free policy in schools may seem straightforward, but it presents practical challenges. Schools have tried several approaches, each with distinct limitations:

• Complete Phone Bans: Some schools have chosen to ban phones entirely. While effective at eliminating distractions, a total ban can be difficult to enforce consistently and can lead to resistance from both students and parents who may feel that complete restriction is impractical, especially if emergency communication is needed.
• Ask Students to Turn Off Phones: Another approach is to ask students to turn off their phones and keep them in their bags during class. Unfortunately, this strategy relies on student compliance, and with the lure of social media and texting just a quick check away, it can be easy for students to ignore this rule.
• Phone Confiscation: Confiscating phones at the start of the day or class is another option. However, this solution requires considerable administrative time and resources, increases liability, and often generates frustration from students and parents alike.

Each of these options, while effective to some degree, presents challenges in practicality, control, and parent and student satisfaction. An ideal solution combines effective phone restriction with accessibility and ease of use, which is where Generation Faraday bags come into play. Our line of school bags offer a simple, affordable, and effective solution for keeping phones out of sight and out of mind. These bags block all incoming and outgoing signals, ensuring that phones remain fully disconnected during school hours, without the need for confiscation or complicated technology.

Unlike other solutions, Generation Faraday bags allow teachers to retain control while enabling students to keep their phones nearby in case of emergencies. For schools seeking a smooth, efficient, and low-cost way to comply with Assembly Bill 3216, Generation Faraday bags represent the most practical solution, fostering a distraction-free environment that supports students’ academic and emotional well-being.