Phone and Device-Free School
This webpage provides information and resources regarding the district’s implementation of phone- and personal-device-free schools for the 2026–2027 school year.
To support focused learning environments, encourage healthy social and emotional development, and align with the new Phone-Free Schools Act, District leadership recommended that the Board of Trustees adopt a Phone and Device-Free Schools policy during the school day for all elementary, middle, and high school students beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.
In the sections below, you will find information about why the district is implementing Phone and Device-Free Schools, how the policy will be put into practice, and additional resources for students, families, and staff regarding this update to our school mobile device policy.
We encourage you to explore the information and resources on this webpage, attend an upcoming informational webinar, and participate in our survey to share your feedback and questions.
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More Information
Why
This tab includes information on why NUSD has implemented a Phone and Device-Free Schools policy for the 2026-2027 school year. AB 3216, the Phone-Free School Act, signed by Governor Newsom in 2024, requires all school district to restrict phone use during the school day by July 1, 2026. The act cited research that a phone free campus will encourage focused student engagement, limit distractions, and create a safer, more interactive school environment
NUSD is seeking to limit distractions in the classroom and improve overall student engagement, mental health, and well-being. We have received feedback from staff, families, and students that an updated mobile device policy is needed in schools. Feedback includes a concern that access to smartphones, smartwatches, and earbuds are a barrier to learning and student success. Concerns have been raised about the distractions and unwanted attention caused by constant access to social media, text messaging, and cameras (photos and videos taken at school are sometimes used for online harassment and bullying of other students).
Phone and Device-Free Schools is supported by health experts and new legislation:
- U.S. Surgeon General's Warning on Social Media and Youth Mental Health
- California Governor Signs Legislation (Phone and Device-Free Schools Act) to Limit Phones During School Hours
We know this change will create a wide range of emotions from anxiety to jubilation and anger to joy. We look forward to speaking with you and hearing constructive feedback as we all make this transition together.
How
Phone and Device-Free Schools Policy
Read the Phone and Device-Free Schools update to our mobile device board policy (BP) and administrative regulations/procedures (AR):
Phone and Device-Free School Policies
Elementary
How Will The Policy Be Implemented - Elementary
- Parents/Guardians will be strongly discouraged from allowing students to bring mobile communication devices or personal laptops/tablets to school. “Keep it at home” message
- If a parents/guardian insists that their student bring a device to school the student must keep their device on “Do Not Disturb” or powered off and the device is kept in a backpack
- The bell to bell policy applies as well as all elements of BP and AR 5131.8
Secondary
How Will the policy be implemented - secondary
- First Bell: Students will turn off or set their devices to Do Not Disturb mode, place them in their Yondr pouches, and lock the pouches
- Throughout the school day: Devices will remain in backpacks, in the possession of the students, during passing periods, and lunches
- Last Bell: Students are free to use their devices
- After school events: There may be certain school sponsored events where students may have to keep their devices in their backpacks
- All elements of BP and AR 5131.8
FAQs
Cell Phone Regulation Is Surging
- 1 IN 7 countries have banned phone in school, per the UN’s Global Education Monitoring Report, while Arkansas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Indiana lead U.S states in implementing school phone bans
- 75% of public schools in the United States have some form of restriction on cell phone use during school hours.
Family and Student Survey Results
- Survey Finds
- Why does the district suggest Do Not Disturb mode instead of silent, Airplane mode, or completely turning the device off?
- What is Considered A Mobile Device?
- Bell to Bell Policy
- Consequences
- Exceptions (Per California Ed Code)
- Feedback and Refinement
Survey Finds
Are there times/situations where you believe phone access should remain available?
(Main Responses (Both families and students)
Emergency situation on and off campus
Access to my student during the school day
After school coordination/transportation
Change of original plans or schedule
- 51.4% of Families are very supportive
- 19.7% of Families are somewhat supportive
- 10% of Families are somewhat or strongly opposed
- 8.9% of Families are nuetral/unsure
- 81.9% of Families feel limiting mobile devices during the school day will improve focus and learning.
- 63.8% of Families feel limiting mobile devices during the school day will better social interactions.
- 53.2% of Families feel limiting mobile devices during the school day will reduce cyber bullying and social pressure.
- 54.9% of Families feel limiting mobile devices during the school day will improve mental health and wellbeing.
- 56% of Students feel that mobile devices are very distracting during the school day.
- 30.8% of Students feel that mobile devices are somewhat distracting during the school day.
Students Preference:
77% would choose to keep their cell phones in their backpacks.
Why does the district suggest Do Not Disturb mode instead of silent, Airplane mode, or completely turning the device off?
- Do Not Disturb mode allows the device to continue receiving messages without notifying the user with any vibrations or sounds.
- Do Not Disturb mode allows parents/guardians and others who use Find My Phone, Life 360, or other apps to monitor the location of their child. Airplane mode restricts this option.
- Silent mode, unless changed in settings, will continue to vibrate. These vibrations are distracting and can be anxiety provoking for the user to be aware of new messages throughout the day without being able to access them.
What is Considered A Mobile Device?
Bell to Bell Policy
Consequences
If a student is seen by a teacher or other staff member with a cell phone or otherwise not following these protocols, the staff member will immediately contact an administrator or supervisor for support. The consequences for unauthorized cell phone use given by that administrator/supervisor will be:
- 1st offense - verbal warning
- 2nd offense - device is confiscated the rest of the day, and student can pick up the device in the office at the end of the day
- 3rd offense - device is confiscated until the parent/guardian can pick up the device, and have a conference about the behavior with the school administrator and the student.
- 4th offense - student will not be allowed to have personal devices in their possession on campus. That student must turn in all devices everyday to main office prior to school start time or keep devices at home.
Exceptions (Per California Ed Code)
A student shall not be prohibited from possessing or using a mobile communication device under any of the following circumstances:
1. In the case of an emergency, or in response to a perceived threat of danger
2. When a teacher, administrator, or other district employee grants permission to the student to possess or use a mobile communication device, subject to any reasonable limitation imposed by that teacher, administrator, or other district employee
3. When a licensed physician or surgeon determines that the possession or use is necessary for the student's health and well-being, and for which use is limited to the purposes related to the health of the student
4. When the possession or use is required by the student's individualized education plan or Section 504 plan
Feedback and Refinement
- Each school will work out the particulars of its implementation, while staying in full compliance with Board Policy and Administrative Regulation
- We will convene administrators periodically during Year 1 to share learnings in order to fine tune implementation.
- We will survey students and staff on their experience to inform the fine tuning process.
What the Data Shows
The Negative Academic and Social Emotional Impact of Cellphones on Students
- 10.6% Lower test scores among students regularly interrupted by text messages (Psicologia Educativa, 2011).
- Students take an average of 20 minutes to refocus after receiving a notification from their phone in class. (Global Education Monitoring Report, 2023).
- 59% of teens have experienced cyberbullying or online harassment (National Bullying Prevention Center, 2020).
- Social media use linked to increased feelings of inadequacy and depression (American Psychological Association, 2023).
- 70% of students report feeling distracted by notifications during class (Common Sense Media, 2019).
- 45% of teens say they feel overwhelmed by constant connectivity (Pew Research, 2018).
- According to a research study of American teens ages 12-15, those who used social media over three hours each day faced twice the risk of having negative mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety symptoms. (JAMA Psychiatry, 2019).
- Teenagers in the U.S. who spend 3 hours or more a day on electronic devices are at a 35% higher risk of suicIde than those who spend less than one hour on them. (Clinical Psychological Science, 2011).
- Eighth graders who are heavy users of social media have a 27% higher risk of depression than kids who exceed the average time playing sports or hanging out with friends (Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022).