Navigating Technology in Our Schools

Governor Gavin Newsom recently called upon California’s secondary schools to restrict students’ cell phone usage. He cited studies noting smartphone’s potential negative impact on student learning and mental health. Others against smartphone usage during school hours note such issues such as online bullying and overuse of social media, which are detrimental to student’s mental health. 

In June 2024, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) school board voted 5-2 to create a no-phone policy beginning January 2025. Whether the Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD) will enact a similar plan is yet to be seen. Calabasas High School already maintains a “low-tech” campus. Although their guidelines allow smartphone use for both teachers and students, they maintain smartphones should be “powered off during classroom instruction unless permitted by the teacher for instructional purposes.”

While several states have already enforced smartphone bans, many parents and schools are already pushing back. Parents’ main concern is to be able to instantly communicate with their kids and vice versa. Many seem okay with phones being powered off as long as they’re within easy reach.

A larger discussion remains how best to balance student safety with expanding technology in our schools. Parents, teachers, and students can find a wealth of information on this subject at lvusd.org, including the district’s initiative, “Forward Learning,” which focuses on helping students thrive through technology. Navigating this digital landscape really begins at home, where kids can educate their parents about how technology is being used in their classrooms and parents can set guidelines. Parents can also speak with teachers to better understand what software is being used, and what they can do at home to help ensure these resources are available and not misused. 

When E.T. utters, “phone home,” in that classic movie, he echoes the primal urge for connection. An ongoing dialogue between parents, students, and teachers fosters the best environment for managing this ever-changing world of technology. And the good news is you don’t even need a smartphone or computer to keep the lines of communication open.