San Diego Schools Implement Phone-Free Policy

News Summary

The San Diego Unified School District has approved a new policy mandating a ‘Phone-Free School Day’ for all students from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade. Effective from August 11, students are required to turn off their phones during school hours, with exceptions for emergencies and teacher discretion. This decision aligns with California’s Phone-Free School Act and aims to foster a more focused educational environment. Initial violations may result in warnings, while repeated offenses could lead to further disciplinary actions. Parental support for the initiative has been noted.

San Diego – The San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) has approved a significant new policy that will implement a “Phone-Free School Day” for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. This policy will officially take effect on August 11, 2025, coinciding with the first day of classes. The decision, made during a board meeting on Tuesday night, received unanimous approval from the board members present.

This policy mandates that all students in grades Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 12th grade will not be allowed to use their phones during school hours. Each school’s schedule will define these hours, during which students are required to turn off their devices and store them in bags or lockers. The policy also extends to personal electronic devices such as earbuds, headphones, and smartwatches, with usage guidelines left to the discretion of individual teachers.

Despite the restrictions, there are exceptions included in the policy. Students are permitted to use their phones before and after school, and high school students are allowed to use their phones during lunch and passing periods if such use does not disrupt the environment. Additionally, phone use may be permitted during emergencies or if deemed necessary by a licensed health professional. Teachers may also allow phone use for instructional purposes at their discretion.

The implementation of this policy aligns with California’s Phone-Free School Act, known as Assembly Bill 3216, which Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law. This legislation requires all California school districts to develop similar phone-free policies by July 1, 2026. The SDUSD decision comes in the wake of a similar policy enacted by the Los Angeles Unified School District earlier in 2025.

Support for the SDUSD phone-free policy appears strong among parents. A survey conducted prior to the policy’s approval indicated that a majority of parents support initiatives aimed at reducing distractions within the school environment. The district has expressed its commitment to fostering focused learning spaces where students can engage more fully in their education. Superintendent Dr. Fabiola Bagula emphasized that limiting phone use is essential for nurturing peer connections and supporting both the mental health and academic success of students.

To ensure the policy is effectively enforced, initial violations may result in warnings or referrals to counseling, while repeated offenses may lead to confiscation of the phone or the loss of extracurricular privileges. It is also noted that the school district will not assume responsibility for devices lost or damaged while in the care of staff members enforcing the phone-free policy.

For parents who need to contact their child during school hours, the district has instructed that communication be channeled through the school’s main office to maintain the integrity of the phone-free environment. Additionally, the district encourages families to engage in discussions about technology use and its impact on learning and social interactions by providing relevant resources and conversation guides.

This comprehensive approach aims not only to minimize distractions caused by mobile devices but also to cultivate an environment that prioritizes education, personal interaction, and student well-being. Enforcement of these policies will be consistent across the district, with a focus on positive behavior interventions and restorative practices to address violations.

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Additional Resources

• The Center Square
• Wikipedia: School Cell Phone Policies
• CBS 8 News
• Google Search: San Diego Unified School District Phone Policy
• Times of San Diego
• Encyclopedia Britannica: School
• 10 News
• Google News: San Diego School Phone Ban