A statewide ban on smartphone use in schools would run into the same enforcement problems as local restrictions – while also taking agency away from the school community. At Rocklin High School, uneven enforcement already hinders school administrators’ efforts to keep phones out of the classroom. The phone pocket policy, for example, is applied differently from teacher to teacher, creating friction between staff and frustration among students. Newsom’s proposal does not specify whether students would be allowed to keep their phones with them during the school day. If they are, this will continue to be an issue regardless of whether the rule comes from the principal or from the governor.

Taking phones from students comes with its own set of problems. Smartphones are the fastest way for students to communicate with their parents, which makes them invaluable in an emergency like a school shooting. An outright ban could jeopardize student safety and inconvenience parents who may need to reach their kids during school hours.

While phones can be a distraction, a statewide ban would be ineffective and create bigger safety issues. In fact, a ban could itself become a barrier to learning. Some teachers, including RHS media adviser Joshua Rubinstein, have incorporated smartphones into their lessons as tools for students to take photos, record audio, or access the internet outdoors. Lawmakers would either have to allow exceptions, making enforcement even more difficult, or risk getting in the way of instruction. Ultimately, each school community needs to decide for itself how to best use or not use technology to promote student learning.