Wellness Exchange: Health Discussions
California Bans Smartphones in Schools: What Parents Need Know
(upbeat music) - Welcome to "Listen To." This is Ted. The news was published on Tuesday, September 24th. Joining us today are Eric and Kate to discuss a new California law on cell phone usage in schools. What are your initial thoughts on this legislation? - Well, Ted, I gotta say, this law is definitely a step in the right direction. It's about time we address the elephant in the room, those pesky smartphone distractions in classrooms. I mean, how can kids focus on algebra when they're busy scrolling through TikTok, right? - I couldn't disagree more. This law is nothing but a blatant infringement on students' rights. We're living in the 21st century for crying out loud. Smart-- - Hold on a second, Kate. Rights? We're talking about education here. The research is clear. Unrestricted smartphone use is wreaking havoc on our kids' ability to learn. - Oh, please. You can't just cherry pick research to fit your narrative. What about all the potential educational benefits of smartphones? There are countless apps-- - Let's take a step back here. The law requires schools to develop plans by July 1st, 2026. Eric, why do you think this timeline is important? - Great question, Ted. This three-year timeline is crucial because it gives schools ample time to create comprehensive policies. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither should these policies be. It allows for thorough planning, consultation with experts, and even trial runs before full implementation. - That's ridiculous. Three years is way too long. Our students are struggling with mental health issues right now. We need immediate action, not some drawn-out bureaucrat-- - Now, hold on just a minute. Mental health is precisely why we need this law. Have you seen the studies? Unrestricted smartphone use is like a Petri dish for anxiety and depression among teens. - Oh, come on. You're completely ignoring the fact that smartphones can be valuable learning tools. By banning them, we're essentially cutting off our nose to spite our face. Think about all the education-- - Interesting points from both of you. The law mentions low-achieving pupils specifically. How might this affect different student groups? - This is all about leveling the playing field, Ted. Low-achieving students are often more susceptible to distractions and smartphones are like kryptonite to their focus. By implementing these restrictions, we're giving these kids a fighting chance to close the achievement gap. - That's such an oversimplification. It's not even funny. We should be addressing the root causes of low achievement, not playing the blame game with phones. There are socioeconomic factors, learning disabilities-- - It's not about blame, Kate. It's about creating an environment that's conducive to learning for all students. - Sometimes that means removing distractions. We're not vilifying phones, we're prioritizing-- - And what about students who rely on phones for safety or medical reasons? This law could put them at serious risk. Did you even consider that? Some kids need their phones to monitor-- - Actually, if you'd read the law carefully, you'd know that it includes exceptions for emergencies, health reasons, and individualized education programs. They've thought this through, Kate. It's not-- Those exceptions aren't nearly enough. They don't cover all the potential scenarios where a student might need their phone. What about family emergencies? Or students who need to coordinate after-school pickups? This law is short-sighted and potentially dangerous. - Let's look at this in a broader context. Can you think of any similar historic events related to technology in schools? - Absolutely, Ted. This reminds me of the great calculator debate of the 1980s. Remember that? There was a huge hullabaloo about allowing calculators in math classes. Everyone and their mother was freaking out, thinking it would turn our kids' brains to mush and destroy their ability to do mental math. - That's not the same at all. Calculators were specifically designed as educational tools. Smartphones are a whole different ballgame. They're multi-purpose devices with social media-- - But the principle is the same, Kate. New technology often faces resistance in education. It's human nature to fear change. But guess what? Calculators were eventually integrated successfully into curricula. We adapted and math education complex. - You're oversimplifying again. Smartphones are far more complex and multifaceted than calculators. This comparison is like comparing apples to supercomputers. The potential for distraction and misuse is on a whole different level. How did the calculator debate ultimately play out? And what lessons can we draw from it? - Great question, Ted. Schools eventually found a happy medium. They started using calculators for complex problems while still teaching fundamental math skills. It's a perfect example of how we can adapt to new technologies in education. The sky didn't fall and kids still learned math. - But that took years of trial and error. We can't afford to experiment with our students' education and mental health like that. The stakes are way too high. We're talking about-- - That's exactly why this law is so important, Kate. It gives schools time to develop nuanced policies just like they did with calculators. We're not throwing kids into the deep end here. - The stakes are much higher now, Eric. You can't compare calculators to smartphones. Social media and constant connectivity have completely changed the landscape. We're dealing with addiction, cyberbullying-- - Which is precisely why we need to act. - We can't just bury our heads in the sand and ignore the negative impacts of smartphones on learning and mental health. This law is a step towards addressing these very-- - Banning them outright isn't the answer though. We should be teaching responsible use instead. Give kids the tools to navigate this digital world. Don't just take away their phones and hope for the best. That's not preparing them for the real world. - Looking ahead, how do you see this law affecting students and schools in the long term? - I'm optimistic, Ted. I believe we'll see improved academic performance across the board. Without the constant distraction of smartphones, students will be able to focus better in class. Plus, we'll likely see better social interactions among students. Remember face-to-face conversations? They might make a comeback. - You're living in a fantasy world, Eric. I think we'll see a rise in student rebellion and increased anxiety from being disconnected. You can't just cut teens off from their primary mode of communication and accept everything-- - That's short-sighted, Kate. Students will adapt just as they have to other school rules. Remember when we thought kids couldn't survive without passing notes in class? This will create a more focused learning environment. - You're ignoring the reality of modern life. Smartphones are integral to how teens communicate and learn. They're not just toys, they're tools. By banning them, we're essentially asking kids to step back in time every time they enter the school building. How might this law impact the development of digital literacy skills? - That's a great point, Ted. I believe this law will actually encourage more intentional and structured digital education. Instead of kids aimlessly scrolling through their phones, schools can focus on teaching responsible online behavior during designated times. It's about quality over quantity when it comes to digital skills. - That's incredibly naive, Eric. - Real digital literacy comes from everyday use and problem solving, not controlled classroom sessions. You can't teach a kid to swim by showing them PowerPoint slides about water. - But uncontrolled use is leading to rampant cyberbullying and academic dishonesty. This law addresses those issues head on. We can't just let kids run wild online and hope they figure it out. That's not education. - Those problems won't magically disappear by banning phones, Eric. - We need to tackle the root causes, not just treat the symptoms. Cyberbullying is about behavior and values, not the technology itself. - This law is tackling a root cause. The constant distraction and negative influences of unrestricted smartphone use. It's creating space for real learning and social interaction. Sometimes you need to remove the-- - You're oversimplifying a complex issue as usual. We should be empowering students to use technology responsibly, not taking it away. This law is a step backward, not forward. We need to prepare kids for the digital world, not shield them from it. - Well, it looks like we've covered a lot of ground today. Thank you both for sharing your perspectives on this new California law. It's clear this is a complex issue with valid concerns on both sides. As schools begin to implement these policies, we'll certainly be watching closely to see how it unfolds. Until next time, this is Ted signing off from Listen To.