By: Jennifer Levy, Graduate Student Worker, County of San Diego Live Well San Diego Support Team

In September 2024, the California Legislature approved an addition to California state law, Assembly Bill 3216, known as the Phone-Free School Act. This bill will require all California school districts, charter schools, and County Offices of Education to develop a policy to limit the use of smartphones at school by July 2026. at school by July 2026.

In response, the County of San Diego is collaborating with the San Diego County Office of Education to explore ways the County can leverage its extensive resources to support schools and school districts in their efforts to develop and implement solutions that address the unrestricted use of smartphones and the growing youth mental health crisis.

Why do we need to limit smartphone use for youth?

Emerging scientific research has made the link between youth mental health crisis and the rise of smartphone use among our youth population.

The rise in youth mental health issues began in the early 2010s. Rates of anxiety and depression have more than doubled in boys and girls. The percentage of U.S. 12-17 year-olds with a major depressive episode in the last year rose from 12% to 28% in girls, and from 4% to 11.5% in boys between 2010 and 2022 (Anxious generation). College undergraduates in the United States experienced an uptick in anxiety disorder from 10.4% to 24.3%, and depression increased from 9.4% to 20% between 2010 and 2019. Most other mental illnesses at this time maintained stable rates of prevalence.

The Anxious Generation

Research compiled by the scientists behind the “Anxious Generation” movement have found increases in self-harm episodes, emergency room visits, and reports of psychological distress, not only in the United States, but among preteens and teens across the globe. The data is clear – mental health has severely worsened in the youth of today.

But why is this happening?

The early 2010s marked the start of a rise in popularity of social media platforms and the widespread adoption of smartphones, replacing the commonplace flip phone and texting phone (source). In 2011, 83% of U.S. adults owned a cellphone, and 35% owned a smartphone. By 2024, 98% of U.S. adults owned a cellphone and 91% owned a smartphone. That is a 56% increase! 

In the United States, the percentage of children age 8-18 year old owning a smartphone increased on average by 21.5% between 2015 and 2021. By 2023, 93% of U.S. teens report using YouTube, 63% use TikTok, 60% use Snapchat, and 59% use Instagram. Daily social media use increased from 51% in 2008 to 82% in 2015. 

The authors and researchers of The Anxious Generation argue that this vast increase in smartphone and social media use in childhood is deeply connected to the worsening mental health outcomes for youth.  

For Governor Gavin Newson, the connection between childhood smartphone use and worsening mental health outcomes became too hard to ignore. When signing Assembly Bill 3216 into legislation, he stated: 

“We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues – but we have the power to intervene. This new law will help students focus on academics, social development, and the world in front of them, not their screens, when they’re in school.”  

Children and teens spend most of their time at school. Restricting smartphone use in schools can allow kids to experience a haven away from smartphones, to reconnect with their peers, teachers, and themselves in the real world.  

Does removing smartphones in schools actually work? 

School districts across the country are implementing smartphone restriction policies in the classroom and are seeing almost instantaneous results.  

A school district in Southwest Florida implemented two policies that banned smartphone use during the school day and required student participation in a sports or arts program. Although unpopular at first, after two years of implementation, the students of this district experienced a 94% improvement in mental well-being, along with higher standardized test scores and improved social engagement between students. 

Connecticut schools experienced a decrease in office referrals and suspensions for all reasons when they implemented smartphone restrictions.  

Washington schools had lower rates of cyberbullying and created a safer environment on campus when they instated smartphone bans. 

New policies restricting smartphone use at schools were not popular at first, but as time went on, students, parents, and teachers saw the numerous benefits and improvements in student behavior and well-being when they participated in the real world rather than online. 

What steps can YOU take to get involved?  

The County Office of Education and County of San Diego are combining efforts to explore the needs of the community and the existing research to create an evidence-based and community-informed policy in schools. To provide your feedback about creating and implementing this policy in San Diego schools, please engage with the County of San Diego on the Join the Conversation: Shaping Smartphone Use in Schools Virtual Connection Hub page. 

Check out some additional resources about this topic below: 

Books, Family Resources, Educator Resources, Videos & Talks 

Actions for Parents, Educators & Schools, Gen Z, Everyone 

Take the Pledge: Let Grow 

San Diego County Board of Supervisors Board Letter 

Assembly Bill 3216 

The Anxious Generation Research