Gov. Gavin Newsom on Aug. 13 asked schools across California to restrict student access to smartphones as the new academic year kicks off, with the goal of reducing tech-related mental health concerns, academic challenges, and social risks related to cell phone use.
In a letter, Newsom warned school leaders about the purported dangers of excessive smartphone use among youth. He referenced a 2024 study from the Pew Research Center that revealed 73 percent of U.S. teens feel “peaceful” when they don’t have their cell phones and 44 percent said not having a smartphone with them makes them “feel anxious.”
