San Diego School District Adopts Phone-Free Policy

News Summary

The San Diego Unified School District has approved a new phone-free policy aimed at improving student performance and mental health by reducing distractions in classrooms. The policy, effective from August 2025, prohibits phone use during school hours, with specific exceptions. This decision aligns with California’s Phone-Free School Act, promoting responsible technology use and stronger social connections. The district engaged students and parents for feedback during the policy’s development, highlighting a community-supported approach to technology usage in education.

San Diego – The San Diego Unified School District has unanimously approved a new phone-free policy during a recent board meeting, aimed at enhancing student performance and mental health by minimizing distractions in the classroom. The policy is set to take effect on August 11, 2025, coinciding with the start of the 2025-26 school year, and applies to all grades from transitional kindergarten (TK) through 12th grade.

This decision aligns with California’s Assembly Bill 3216, commonly referred to as the Phone-Free School Act, which requires school districts across the state to develop phone usage policies by July 1, 2026. The primary aim is not only to reduce classroom distractions but also to further support students’ overall well-being.

Under the new policy, students are prohibited from using phones during school hours, which includes storing devices in their backpacks, on desks, or in lockers. However, there are specific exceptions where phone use will be permitted:

• Before and after school
• In emergencies or for health-related purposes
• When authorized by teachers for educational activities

Additionally, high school students will have the opportunity to use their phones during lunch and passing periods, provided that it does not disrupt the learning environment. In contrast, elementary and middle school students (TK-8) are not allowed to use phones at all during the school day, including during lunch and passing times.

The San Diego Unified School District engaged both students and parents in the development of this policy, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback with supportive responses far surpassing critiques. The district’s intention is to promote responsible technology use and to foster stronger social connections and learning environments among students.

The enforcement of the policy will be guided by Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Restorative Justice Practices (RJP). Potential consequences for violations of the policy may start with verbal reminders or counseling referrals. Subsequent infractions could result in phone confiscation until the end of the school day or the potential loss of extracurricular privileges. If students refuse to comply, repeated violations could lead to stricter disciplinary actions, such as mandatory phone retrieval by parents.

Moreover, the district emphasizes the importance of equipping families with resources to discuss healthy technology habits and responsible screen time at home. This initiative marks a significant update from a previous phone policy that had been in place since 2003, aiming to establish consistency in the approach to device usage across all schools within the district.

The ongoing conversation about technology’s role in education continues to evolve. By implementing this new phone-free policy, the San Diego Unified School District strives to address contemporary challenges related to mobile device usage and to create a more focused and productive learning environment for its students.

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Additional Resources

• CBS 8
• NBC San Diego
• Fox 5 San Diego
• GovTech
• Wikipedia: Smartphone Usage in Schools
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Mobile Phone
• Google Search: Phone-Free School Policy
• Google News: San Diego Unified Phone Policy