Dear community member,
Important discussions are happening in our community and across the state about students’ use of smartphones during the school day.
As you may be aware, last week Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law requiring every school district in California to develop a policy limiting students’ smartphone use during the school day. This law comes amid mounting research linking excessive smartphone use to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues impacting youth.
There are also safety issues associated with smartphones and social media. This reality hit close to home this week when law enforcement notified us that an individual was arrested for using Snapchat to contact and abuse minors in our county. See the letter to families shared Monday for more on this disturbing case, along with resources families can access to support cyber safety.
Schools are also aware of the need for students to contact their parents and other caregivers, especially during emergencies or for medical reasons. The new law, AB 3216, includes specific exceptions for those situations.
AB 3216 doesn’t take effect until 2026, but we are working with COE staff and district and school leaders to review details and ensure our schools are fully compliant. Santa Cruz County schools are already well prepared, given that every district has policies in place to limit the use of smartphones on campus.
The specifics of these policies vary based on grade level and each district and school site’s specific needs — from prohibiting use during class unless allowed by an instructor to collecting smartphones at the start of each day and returning them as students leave. In partnership with school districts, we will continue to examine these policies in light of the new state law and our shared understanding of the need to balance the disruptions and harms of smartphones with their use as tools for communication and access to information.
We’ll share more on these topics later this month as the COE recognizes Digital Citizenship Week from Oct. 14-18, an opportunity for students and educators to explore topics such as cyber safety, cyberbullying, and digital literacy.
In the meantime, I invite you to explore our digital literacy and cyber safety resources, and ensure that — in your home and classroom — the use of smartphones and other digital tools is approached conscientiously and safely.
Yours in education and equity,
Dr. Faris Sabbah
County Superintendent of Schools