The Model Bill Package
The Distraction-Free Schools CA coalition is advocating for the adoption of three model bills focused on creating distraction-free school environments in collaboration. The bills are written to establish a gold standard that prioritizes students' mental health and development, academically and socially.
These bills were drafted by the Becca Schmill Foundation and Smartphone Free Childhood US with the support of several child advocacy organizations like Fairplay, The Anxious Generation, The Phone Free Schools Movement and others.
About AB 3216:
The Phone Free Schools Act
Governor Newsom signed AB 3216, the Phone-Free Schools Act, into law in September 2024. While it’s an important step forward, the bill only encourages school districts to adopt policies that “limit or restrict” student cellphone use. It does not require schools to implement true bell-to-bell phone-free environments—which research shows is the most effective approach. As a result, the law leaves significant discretion to districts and may not result in meaningful change without stronger implementation guidance.
We are advocating for the bill to be amended to require districts to adopt bell-to-bell phone policies in all grade levels K - 12.
States Passing Phone-Free School Policies
The presence of phones in schools are causing a wide range of harm including:
Academic Harms
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Distraction
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Cheating and Academic Dishonesty
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Loss of Learning Time
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Reduced Cognitive Capacity
Non-Academic Harms
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Cyberbullying
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Dangerous in an emergency
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Impaired Social Skills
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Anxiety and Depression
Visit the interactive map from The Anxious Generation.