County Supervisor Proposes Policy Limiting Phone Use In Schools

SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors will consider Tuesday actions similar to those in Los Angeles County to restrict the use of mobile devices in schools.

Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer said the twin actions she will propose at the meeting Tuesday are intended to help school administrators and parents keep students focused on their studies and protect their mental health.

The first is a policy for county mental health experts to help school districts develop plans to curb cell phone usage in schools and the second is a partnership with a nonprofit that will provide lockable mobile phone pouches, cell phone lockers or mobile phone pocket holders to middle and high schools wanting to pilot a program to limit cell phone usage in their classrooms.

"I want our county to help school administrators and parents keep students focused on their studies, and protect their mental health," said Lawson-Remer, vice chair of the board. "School is hard enough without the distraction caused by a phone pinging or vibrating; and the trauma caused by cyberbullying.

"The statistics demonstrate the mental health of our kids is being impacted when they are tethered to their cell phones. I want our county to help get our experts involved," she said.

A recent study by Common Sense Media found that 97% of teenagers use cell phones during the school day and on average receive more than 200 notifications per day -- many occurring during school hours.

Gov. Gavin Newsom this month urged all school districts across the state to restrict cell phone usage during the school day and the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association have issued health advisories.

In the Los Angeles Unified School District, students returned to classrooms this month with a policy banning cell phone use in the classroom already in place.

"We need to separate them," LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said. "We need to allow them to be kids again, to allow them to socialize with their peers and be what kids should be: happy, playful joyful."

In her District 3 -- nearly the entirety of the county's coast, from Coronado to Carlsbad -- Lawson-Remer has partnered with the nonprofit Campana Studios.

That organization has received a $100,000 county grant to support some District 3 middle and high schools interested in piloting a program that restricts student cell phone usage during the school day.

"As an organization committed to generating opportunities for creative expression in San Diego County, we see that an over-dependence on cell phones and excessive screen time can stifle creativity in our K-12 students," said Jay Bell, founder of Campana. "We view this program as an opportunity to continue our work with local schools to foster student's imagination and to set the stage for our youth to develop better connections with the curriculum, their classmates, teacher and our community.

"We are here to be of service to all schools who are interested in starting a pilot program."
Lawson-Remer said her office will contact the 35 middle and high schools in District 3 to ensure they are aware of the available funds and provide a sign-up link to help make the connection to the non-profit.

The Board of Supervisors meets at 9 a.m.

— City News Service