Los Angeles to ban smartphone use in school
The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education voted to ban smartphones for its 429,000 students in order to ‘insulate kids from distractions and social media’ that undermine learning and harm mental health, Reuters reports
The council of the US second largest school district voted 5-3, approving a resolution to develop within 120 days a policy prohibiting students from using mobile phones and social networks. This rule would be in place from January 2025.
“I think we will be at the forefront on this path, and as a result, the students, the whole city, and the whole country will benefit,” said LAUSD board member Nick Melvoin, who proposed the resolution.
Two people who voted against the resolution fear that the policy will be too restrictive; it’s unclear whether the ban will be imposed outside of school hours, and wondered who will monitor compliance with the rules.
