Map Shows States Cracking Down on Student Cellphone Use in Schools
Oakland joins a growing movement to curb student phone use as schools cite concerns about distraction, learning and mental health.
A growing number of states are restricting student cellphone use during the school day, with California's school districts among the latest to implement new policies as students return to classrooms this fall. The Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) began enforcing a districtwide cellphone ban on August 10, requiring students to store their devices in lock boxes or locked pouches during the school day.
California's approach falls into the latter category, requiring school districts and charter schools to adopt policies restricting smartphone use, leaving many implementation details to local officials. The trend toward tighter restrictions is widespread, with 45 states now having laws or formal policies addressing cellphone use in K-12 schools.
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